Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS
92 Imaging
35 Features
19 Overall
28
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
- Launched January 2011
(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
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Below, we will be evaluating the Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are designed by Canon. The image resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe A1200 was manufactured 23 months later than the SD970 IS which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the A1200 matches up vs the SD970 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A1200 & Canon PowerShot SD970 IS. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A1200 Gallery & Canon SD970 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SD970 IS
| A1200 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2011 | February 2009 | Fresher by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A1200
| SD970 IS | A1200 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimension | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SD970 IS
| A1200 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Lack of manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A1200 enjoys outer dimensions of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Canon SD970 IS has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the A1200 and the SD970 IS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A1200 and SD970 IS is 92 and 94 respectively.
Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out specs. The graphic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A1200 and SD970 IS.
All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of images however you may want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The newer A1200 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A1200 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot A1200 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| Also called | - | Digital IXUS 990 IS |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-18 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
| 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 37-185mm (5.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.2-5.7 |
| Macro focus range | 3cm | 2cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 461 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.00 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| 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 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic 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 | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) | 160 grams (0.35 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
| 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 | 200 pictures | - |
| Battery format | AA | - |
| Battery model | 2 x AA | NB-5L |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Retail price | $109 | - |