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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2010
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 12 months prior to the W90 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SD970 IS grades against the W90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax W90

 SD970 IS W90 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W90 SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2010February 2009More modern by 12 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W90

 SD970 IS W90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS and the W90.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and W90 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and W90.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photos though you should factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography advice
Pentax W90 Portrait photography advice
26
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Pentax W90 Street photography info
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Pentax W90
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Pentax W90 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
64
environment proof
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Pentax W90 Landscape photography details
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
37
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
25
relatively wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio W90
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2009-02-18 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 distance 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
AEB
White balance 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 format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 164g (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" 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-LI68
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release - $120