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Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs

Canon A1200
(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
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
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Overview

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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SD970 IS

 A1200 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A1200

 SD970 IS A1200 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SD970 IS

 A1200 SD970 IS 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography info
Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography info
26
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
26
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography features
Canon SD970 IS Street photography features
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography advice
Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
23
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography details
Canon SD970 IS Travel photography details
55
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (200 shots)
no Timelapse recording
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging highlights
Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
comes with face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon SD970 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon 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 -