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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 3 years before the VS20 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the VS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax VS20

 SD970 IS VS20 
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SD970 IS

 VS20 SD970 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009Newer by 35 months
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax VS20

 SD970 IS VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS features outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SD970 IS against the VS20.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and VS20 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The image below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and VS20.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to result in greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
26
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
36
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Pentax VS20 Street photography info
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
32
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
30
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2012-01-25
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID NB-5L D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing - $106