Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS
Portability
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26
Portability
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs
Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
- Launched January 2010
Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
(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
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Below, we will be reviewing the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both offered by Canon. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is pretty close and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe A3100 IS was brought out 11 months later than the SD970 IS and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the SD970 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS & Canon PowerShot SD970 IS. The entire galleries are available at Canon A3100 IS Gallery & Canon SD970 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SD970 IS
| A3100 IS | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2010 |  | February 2009 | Fresher by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A3100 IS
| SD970 IS | A3100 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 461k |  | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SD970 IS
| A3100 IS | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Lack of manual focusing | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Absent Touch screen |
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS provides exterior measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Canon SD970 IS has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon SD970 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the A3100 IS and the SD970 IS.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and SD970 IS is 94 and 94 respectively.
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and SD970 IS.
As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of photographs however you will want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more recent A3100 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography info
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Canon A3100 IS Street photography info
Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Canon A3100 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Canon A3100 IS Travel photography details
Canon SD970 IS Travel photography details
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photography GlossaryLandscape Comparison
Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography information
Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging with Canon A3100 IS
Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| Also called | - | Digital IXUS 990 IS |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 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 measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 37-185mm (5.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.2-5.7 |
| Macro focusing range | 3cm | 2cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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 data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 165 gr (0.36 lb) | 160 gr (0.35 lb) |
| 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 rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery ID | NB-8L | NB-5L |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch pricing | $159 | - |