Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
- 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
- Launched February 2009
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
- Revealed January 2014
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
- Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
- Later Model is Panasonic ZS45

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview
Following is a detailed comparison of the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS40, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was manufactured 5 years prior to the ZS40 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SD970 IS grades against the ZS40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40. The entire galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZS40
SD970 IS | ZS40 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SD970 IS
ZS40 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 59 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+459k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS40
SD970 IS | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Check the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS versus the ZS40.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and ZS40 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The image here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and ZS40.
All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS40 to give more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 |
Also Known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | Lumix DMC-TZ60 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2014-01-06 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 2cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 200 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 6.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 160g (0.35 lbs) | 240g (0.53 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 300 images |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-5L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | - | $450 |