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Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs

Canon A2100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
  • Launched February 2009
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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon A2100 IS versus Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Canon. The resolution of the A2100 IS (12MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A2100 IS was released at a similar time to the SD970 IS and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the A2100 IS scores versus the SD970 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 A2100 IS SD970 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A2100 IS

 SD970 IS A2100 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Canon SD970 IS

 A2100 IS SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A2100 IS has got external measurements of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Canon SD970 IS has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Canon A2100 IS versus Canon SD970 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A2100 IS versus the SD970 IS.

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A2100 IS and SD970 IS is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A2100 IS and SD970 IS.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of pictures though you should always consider the release date of the products into consideration.

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A2100 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
26
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
26
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Street photography advice
Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Sports photography features
Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Travel photography details
Canon SD970 IS Travel photography details
50
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Landscape photography features
Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
31
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
32
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Vlogging features
Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic jack
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Canon A2100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A2100 IS and Canon SD970 IS
 Canon PowerShot A2100 ISCanon PowerShot SD970 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A2100 IS Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Otherwise known as - Digital IXUS 990 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-02-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
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 format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-216mm (6.0x) 37-185mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/3.2-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 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 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 185g (0.41 pounds) 160g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") 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 model 2 x AA NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $220 -