Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS
95 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35


94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 145g - 95 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2012
(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
- Introduced February 2009
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Overview
Lets look more closely at the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are designed by Canon. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the A4000 IS (16MP) and SD970 IS (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The A4000 IS was announced 3 years after the SD970 IS which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the A4000 IS grades versus the SD970 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A4000 IS and Canon PowerShot SD970 IS. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon A4000 IS Gallery and Canon SD970 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A4000 IS over the Canon SD970 IS
A4000 IS | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 37 months |
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon A4000 IS
SD970 IS | A4000 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SD970 IS
A4000 IS | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch display |
Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A4000 IS has got outside dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Canon SD970 IS has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).
Examine the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SD970 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the A4000 IS versus the SD970 IS.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A4000 IS and SD970 IS is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A4000 IS and SD970 IS.
As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon A4000 IS to give more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher A4000 IS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A4000 IS | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A4000 IS | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
Also called | - | Digital IXUS 990 IS |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-02-07 | 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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-224mm (8.0x) | 37-185mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.2-5.7 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 2cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | 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 | 145g (0.32 lb) | 160g (0.35 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 95 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 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 | 175 images | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-11L | NB-5L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $199 | - |