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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Ricoh WG-5 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 236g - 125 x 65 x 32mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • Later Model is Ricoh WG-6
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Ricoh. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and WG-5 GPS (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was announced 7 years earlier than the WG-5 GPS which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the SD970 IS grades against the WG-5 GPS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh WG-5 GPS

 SD970 IS WG-5 GPS 
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-5 GPS over the Canon SD970 IS

 WG-5 GPS SD970 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2009Newer by 72 months
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-5 GPS

 SD970 IS WG-5 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-5 GPS has dimensions of 125mm x 65mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the WG-5 GPS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and WG-5 GPS is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and WG-5 GPS.

Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Ricoh WG-5 GPS to provide you with extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Portrait photography features
26
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
41
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography features
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than others (236 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh WG-5 GPS as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
weather sealing
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
more heavy than others (236g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh WG-5 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
32
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
54
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
Ricoh WG-5 GPS Vlogging features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than others (236 grams)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-5 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISRicoh WG-5 GPS
General Information
Brand Canon Ricoh
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2009-02-18 2015-02-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 10.40 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 236 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 125 x 65 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3")
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 - 240 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release - $500