Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


92 Imaging
33 Features
34 Overall
33
Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2009
- Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
- Launched August 2010

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Canon SD970 IS versus Ricoh CX4, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the CX4 (10MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was launched 18 months earlier than the CX4 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the CX4 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Ricoh CX4. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Ricoh CX4 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh CX4
SD970 IS | CX4 |
---|
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX4 over the Canon SD970 IS
CX4 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 18 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+459k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX4
SD970 IS | CX4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS offers outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Ricoh CX4 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).
See the Canon SD970 IS versus Ricoh CX4 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS versus the CX4.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and CX4 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and CX4.
Clearly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SD970 IS to show extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Ricoh CX4 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Ricoh |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Ricoh CX4 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2009-02-18 | 2010-08-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Smooth Imaging Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
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 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-300mm (10.7x) |
Max aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 2cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 4.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160 gr (0.35 lb) | 205 gr (0.45 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 102 x 59 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 | DB-100 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2, 10 or Custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | - | $211 |