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Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Canon PowerShot A3000 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs

Canon A3000 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Photography Glossary

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon A3000 IS and Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A3000 IS (10MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3000 IS was announced 11 months after the SD970 IS and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the A3000 IS grades vs the SD970 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3000 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 A3000 IS SD970 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2009Newer by 11 months

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A3000 IS

 SD970 IS A3000 IS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3000 IS and Canon SD970 IS

 A3000 IS SD970 IS 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon A3000 IS has physical measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Canon SD970 IS has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Canon A3000 IS and Canon SD970 IS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the A3000 IS compared to the SD970 IS.

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3000 IS and SD970 IS is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The image here will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3000 IS and SD970 IS.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SD970 IS to provide you with extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern A3000 IS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3000 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography advice
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
26
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3000 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3000 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3000 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3000 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
32
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3000 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support
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Canon A3000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3000 IS and Canon SD970 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3000 ISCanon PowerShot SD970 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3000 IS Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Otherwise known as - Digital IXUS 990 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-05 2009-02-18
Physical type 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
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 35-140mm (4.0x) 37-185mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.2-5.7
Macro focus distance 3cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 grams (0.36 pounds) 160 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 NB-8L NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $240 -