Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
93 Imaging
36 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs
(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
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide 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").
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Pentax Optio WG-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax WG-1
| SD970 IS | WG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon SD970 IS
| WG-1 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2011 | February 2009 | Newer by 23 months | |
| Focus manually | Dial precise focusing |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-1
| SD970 IS | WG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax 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 |