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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 Overview

Following is a extended overview of the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was announced 24 months prior to the S1 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax S1

 SD970 IS S1 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S1 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedMarch 2011February 2009More modern by 24 months
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax S1

 SD970 IS S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS comes with 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 S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS vs the S1.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and S1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and S1.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax S1 to resolve extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
26
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Pentax S1
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Pentax S1 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Pentax S1 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
64
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
32
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Pentax S1 Vlogging highlights
28
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax S1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio S1
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-18 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release - $174