Clicky

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Ricoh WG-20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Ricoh WG-20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2014
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Ricoh. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the WG-20 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The SD970 IS was announced 6 years before the WG-20 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the WG-20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh WG-20

 SD970 IS WG-20 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Canon SD970 IS

 WG-20 SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2014February 2009Newer by 60 months
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-20

 SD970 IS WG-20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS offers outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-20 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the WG-20.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and WG-20 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and WG-20.

To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Ricoh WG-20 to give you extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Ricoh WG-20 Portrait photography details
26
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
40
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features face detection focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography details
Ricoh WG-20 Street photography details
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh WG-20 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
has image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Ricoh WG-20 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
71
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography factors
Ricoh WG-20 Landscape photography factors
32
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
weather proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh WG-20 as a Vlogging camera
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
features face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-20
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISRicoh WG-20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Ricoh
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Ricoh WG-20
Alternative name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2009-02-18 2014-02-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
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 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 164g (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 260 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing - $370