Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
95 Imaging
34 Features
23 Overall
29
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 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
- Released February 2009
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
- 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
- Released August 2009
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In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the P80 (12MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe SD970 IS was announced 5 months earlier than the P80 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SD970 IS scores versus the P80 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Pentax Optio P80. The whole galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Pentax P80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax P80
| SD970 IS | P80 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Canon SD970 IS
| P80 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax P80
| SD970 IS | P80 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2009 | August 2009 | Similar generation | |
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax P80 has sizing of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).
Examine the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS vs the P80.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and P80 is 94 and 95 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and P80.
As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax Optio P80 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Pentax |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax Optio P80 |
| Also called | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2009-02-18 | 2009-08-05 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Prime |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| 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 | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-110mm (3.9x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/2.6-5.8 |
| Macro focus range | 2cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.50 m | 4.60 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | - |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance 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 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 160g (0.35 lbs) | 125g (0.28 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") |
| 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 model | NB-5L | D-LI68 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Launch cost | - | $200 |