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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 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
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Released August 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was brought out 5 months prior to the WS80 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SD970 IS grades vs the WS80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax WS80

 SD970 IS WS80 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Canon SD970 IS

 WS80 SD970 IS 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WS80

 SD970 IS WS80 
ReleasedFebruary 2009August 2009Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS has got outer 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) and the Pentax WS80 has specifications of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SD970 IS and the WS80.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and WS80 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The graphic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and WS80.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Canon SD970 IS to give you greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
26
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
26
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
59
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
23
environment proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
61
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
environment proof
built-in flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax WS80 Landscape photography advice
32
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
31
you can focus manually
environment proof
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging advice
Pentax WS80 Vlogging advice
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
25
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WS80
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio WS80
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio WS80
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias 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
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing distance 2cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 125g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 ID NB-5L D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release - $220