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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Ricoh CX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
35
Overall
33

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Ricoh CX5
(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
  • Announced July 2011
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the CX5 (10MP) is relatively comparable and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 3 years prior to the CX5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the SD970 IS scores versus the CX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh CX5

 SD970 IS CX5 

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Canon SD970 IS

 CX5 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJuly 2011February 2009Newer by 29 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution920k461kClearer screen (+459k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX5

 SD970 IS CX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Ricoh CX5 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS against the CX5.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and CX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specifications. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and CX5.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SD970 IS to show greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Ricoh CX5 Portrait photography details
26
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Ricoh CX5
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (205g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography details
Ricoh CX5 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Ricoh CX5 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
66
lighter than competitors (205g)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
long reach (300mm)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Ricoh CX5
32
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
44
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh CX5 as a Vlogging camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
30
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (205 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX5
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISRicoh CX5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Ricoh
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Ricoh CX5
Other name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 205 grams (0.45 lb)
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 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 DB-100
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost - $399