Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


87 Imaging
46 Features
70 Overall
55
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS70 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2017 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 99 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper 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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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).
Check the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS70 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic 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 |