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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the X70 (12MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD970 IS was unveiled within a month of the X70 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SD970 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the SD970 IS scores vs the X70 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax X70

 SD970 IS X70 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SD970 IS

 X70 SD970 IS 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax X70

 SD970 IS X70 
LaunchedFebruary 2009March 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS has got external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax X70 has proportions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the X70.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and X70 is 94 and 71 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and X70.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax X70
26
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
29
manual focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Pentax X70
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Pentax X70
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
50
long zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Pentax X70 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
52
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
36
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax X70 Vlogging factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
24
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax X70
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax X70
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax X70
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2009-03-02
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 50
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 2cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 410g (0.90 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
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-LI92
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, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release - $200