Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


91 Imaging
40 Features
34 Overall
37
Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Ricoh WG-30. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Ricoh WG-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh WG-30
SD970 IS | WG-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Canon SD970 IS
WG-30 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-30 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Ricoh 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 |