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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Ricoh WG-30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Ricoh WG-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Introduced October 2014
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-30, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Ricoh. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and WG-30 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 6 years earlier than the WG-30 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SD970 IS grades against the WG-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh WG-30

 SD970 IS WG-30 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Canon SD970 IS

 WG-30 SD970 IS 
IntroducedOctober 2014February 2009Newer by 68 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-30

 SD970 IS WG-30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-30 has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS and the WG-30.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and WG-30 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The image below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and WG-30.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Ricoh WG-30 to render greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Ricoh WG-30
26
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Ricoh WG-30 Street photography info
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-30 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh WG-30 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
71
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Ricoh WG-30 Landscape photography highlights
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
43
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging details
Ricoh WG-30 Vlogging details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-30
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISRicoh WG-30
General Information
Company Canon Ricoh
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Ricoh WG-30
Alternative name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2009-02-18 2014-10-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 192 gr (0.42 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 life - 300 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release - $428