Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax RS1500
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
93 Imaging
36 Features
30 Overall
33
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax RS1500 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
- Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Revealed March 2011
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Following is a in depth review of the Canon SD970 IS versus Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SD970 IS was manufactured 3 years earlier than the RS1500 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the RS1500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Pentax Optio RS1500. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Pentax RS1500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax RS1500
| SD970 IS | RS1500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Sharper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Canon SD970 IS
| RS1500 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2011 | February 2009 | More modern by 25 months | |
| Manual focus | Dial precise focusing |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax RS1500
| SD970 IS | RS1500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SD970 IS versus Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SD970 IS vs the RS1500.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and RS1500 is 94 and 93 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and RS1500.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax RS1500 to produce more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax Optio RS1500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Pentax |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax Optio RS1500 |
| Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Announced | 2009-02-18 | 2011-03-16 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-110mm (3.9x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.5-5.5 |
| Macro focus distance | 2cm | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of screen | 461k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1500 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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) | 157g (0.35 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
| 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 | - | 260 photographs |
| Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NB-5L | D-LI92 |
| 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/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Price at release | - | $150 |