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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(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
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS8
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic ZS7, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 3 years prior to the ZS7 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SD970 IS grades vs the ZS7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZS7

 SD970 IS ZS7 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Canon SD970 IS

 ZS7 SD970 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2009Fresher by 29 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS7

 SD970 IS ZS7 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS has exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS7 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic ZS7 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS against the ZS7.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and ZS7 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The visual below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and ZS7.

All in all, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you can expect similar quality of images though you will need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography features
26
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS7 Street photography factors
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
63
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography details
32
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
38
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging highlights
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS7
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-TZ10
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lbs) 218 grams (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch - $350