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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio W60 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax W60
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 56 x 25mm
  • Launched July 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Canon SD970 IS versus Pentax W60, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the W60 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 4 months prior to the W60 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SD970 IS grades vs the W60 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax W60

 SD970 IS W60 
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W60 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W60 SD970 IS 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W60

 SD970 IS W60 
LaunchedFebruary 2009July 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS features physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax W60 has proportions of 98mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS versus Pentax W60 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the W60.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and W60 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specs. The visual below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and W60.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon SD970 IS to render more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W60 as a Portrait photography camera
26
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
26
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Pentax W60
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
weather sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography information
Pentax W60 Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
23
weather sealing
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax W60 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
64
weather sealing
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax W60 Landscape photography advice
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax W60 Vlogging factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W60 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W60
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio W60
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio W60
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-07-01
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 50
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Soft, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
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, 15fps, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 30/15 fps
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 165g (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 56 x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" 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-LI78
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release - $300