Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
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91 Imaging
43 Features
39 Overall
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Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 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
- Introduced February 2009
- Additionally referred to as 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
- 193g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
- Announced February 2020
- Updated by Ricoh WG-80

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 Overview
Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-70, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Ricoh. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and WG-70 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was announced 12 years earlier than the WG-70 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SD970 IS grades against the WG-70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-70. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Ricoh WG-70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Ricoh WG-70
SD970 IS | WG-70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-70 over the Canon SD970 IS
WG-70 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2020 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 133 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-70
SD970 IS | WG-70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS offers outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-70 has specifications of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD970 IS and Ricoh WG-70 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the WG-70.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and WG-70 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing specs. The visual below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and WG-70.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Ricoh WG-70 to render greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Ricoh WG-70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Ricoh |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Ricoh WG-70 |
Other name | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Introduced | 2009-02-18 | 2020-02-04 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 2cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | On, off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Yes (Wireless) |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160g (0.35 lb) | 193g (0.43 lb) |
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 All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 300 shots |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, remote) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | - | $280 |