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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SD970 IS versus Pentax WG-1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 23 months prior to the WG-1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax WG-1

 SD970 IS WG-1 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 WG-1 SD970 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-1

 SD970 IS WG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS versus Pentax WG-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the WG-1.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and WG-1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The image below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and WG-1.

As you have seen, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax WG-1 to offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography info
26
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
34
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
36
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
71
weather proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography features
32
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse function
41
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Pentax WG-1
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio WG-1
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2009-02-18 2011-02-07
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 6.17 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 157g (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 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L D-LI92
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
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release - $350