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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 front
Portability
87
Imaging
46
Features
70
Overall
55

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 322g - 112 x 67 x 41mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ90
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS60
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS80
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS70, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and ZS70 (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 9 years prior to the ZS70 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SD970 IS grades against the ZS70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZS70

 SD970 IS ZS70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS70 over the Canon SD970 IS

 ZS70 SD970 IS 
RevealedApril 2017February 2009More modern by 99 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k461kCrisper screen (+579k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS70

 SD970 IS ZS70 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS has got physical 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 ZS70 has proportions of 112mm x 67mm x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 322 grams (0.71 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the ZS70.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and ZS70 is 94 and 87 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The picture below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and ZS70.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS70 to produce more detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS70 Portrait photography features
26
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS70
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS70 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
60
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS70 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
79
good battery life (380 CIPA)
supports focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS70 Landscape photography information
32
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
62
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 shots)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS70
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
74
rather wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no external mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS70
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-TZ90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-02-18 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 49
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.60 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 322 grams (0.71 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 112 x 67 x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing - $450