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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Ricoh CX4 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
34
Overall
33

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Ricoh CX4
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 
LaunchedAugust 2010February 2009More recent by 18 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen resolution920k461kClearer screen (+459k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX4

 SD970 IS CX4 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 size comparison

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

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Ricoh CX4
26
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
26
focusing manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography information
Ricoh CX4 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (205 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Ricoh CX4 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh CX4 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
66
lighter than competitors (205 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (300mm)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh CX4 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
42
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Ricoh CX4 Vlogging factors
27
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
30
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (205 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX4
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISRicoh 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