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Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3400 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs

Canon A3400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 126g - 94 x 56 x 21mm
  • Announced February 2012
Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Canon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the A3400 IS (16MP) and SD970 IS (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3400 IS was launched 3 years later than the SD970 IS and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the A3400 IS matches up against the SD970 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3400 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 A3400 IS SD970 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 37 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A3400 IS

 SD970 IS A3400 IS 
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3400 IS and Canon SD970 IS

 A3400 IS SD970 IS 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3400 IS has physical dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 21mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Canon SD970 IS has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the A3400 IS against the SD970 IS.

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A3400 IS and SD970 IS is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A3400 IS and SD970 IS.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon A3400 IS to give you more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher A3400 IS will have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Portrait photography information
Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography information
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
26
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3400 IS
Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Sports photography info
Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (180 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Travel photography information
Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
68
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
offers touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (180 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3400 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
41
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (180 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
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Canon A3400 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3400 IS and Canon SD970 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3400 ISCanon PowerShot SD970 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3400 IS Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Other name - Digital IXUS 990 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-07 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 37-185mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.2-5.7
Macro focusing range 3cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, 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 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lbs) 160 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 56 x 21mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 life 180 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11L NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $230 -