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Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
58
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot G15 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs

Canon G15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 352g - 107 x 76 x 40mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Superseded the Canon G12
  • Updated by Canon G16
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
  • Released February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon G15 versus Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are designed by Canon. The image resolution of the G15 (12MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is relatively well matched but the G15 (1/1.7") and SD970 IS (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The G15 was brought out 3 years later than the SD970 IS and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the G15 grades vs the SD970 IS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon G15 over the Canon SD970 IS

 G15 SD970 IS 
ReleasedSeptember 2012February 2009More recent by 44 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution922k461kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon G15

 SD970 IS G15 

Common features in the Canon G15 and Canon SD970 IS

 G15 SD970 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon G15 has got outer dimensions of 107mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") and a weight of 352 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Canon SD970 IS has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Canon G15 versus Canon SD970 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the G15 vs the SD970 IS.

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G15 and SD970 IS is 86 and 94 respectively.

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through specs. The photograph below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the G15 and SD970 IS.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The G15 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier. The newer G15 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS sensor size comparison

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G15 Portrait photography features
Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
48
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
26
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G15
Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (352 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G15
Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
good battery pack (350 per charge)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G15 Travel photography advice
Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
61
good battery pack (350 shots)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (352 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G15 Landscape photography information
Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse mode
32
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G15 Vlogging factors
Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
33
pretty wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (352 grams)
27
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Canon G15 vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G15 and Canon SD970 IS
 Canon PowerShot G15Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot G15 Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Also called as - Digital IXUS 990 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-09-17 2009-02-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 37-185mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.2-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 352g (0.78 pounds) 160g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 107 x 76 x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 165 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-10L NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $499 -