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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio W80 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax W80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 156g - 100 x 56 x 25mm
  • Announced June 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W80, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the W80 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured 4 months prior to the W80 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the W80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax W80

 SD970 IS W80 
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W80 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W80 SD970 IS 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W80

 SD970 IS W80 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009June 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS provides physical dimensions 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 W80 has sizing of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W80 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the W80.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and W80 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The picture underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and W80.

All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos however you have to factor the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax W80 Portrait photography highlights
26
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
24
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
64
environment proofing
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Landscape photography camera
32
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
37
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proofing
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
Pentax W80 Vlogging features
28
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
25
relatively wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W80
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio W80
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio W80
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-06-25
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 156 gr (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 100 x 56 x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Retail price - $250