Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
92 Imaging
33 Features
35 Overall
33
Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 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
- Alternative Name is 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
- Announced July 2011
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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").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 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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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Ricoh CX5. The full galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Ricoh CX5 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2011 | February 2009 | Newer by 29 months | |
| Manual focus | Dial precise focus | |||
| Screen resolution | 920k | 461k | Clearer screen (+459k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh CX5
| SD970 IS | CX5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimension | 3" | 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.
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.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and CX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Ricoh 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 |