Clicky

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
23
Overall
29

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax P80
(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
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Overview

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 Camera

The 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.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax P80

 SD970 IS P80 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer 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 
ReleasedFebruary 2009August 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Pentax P80 Portrait photography factors
26
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Pentax P80 Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
55
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Pentax P80
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Pentax P80 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
61
lighter than competition in class (125g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax P80 as a Landscape photography camera
32
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
32
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Pentax P80 Vlogging information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax P80
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax 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