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Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot N front
 
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs

Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
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Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are designed by Canon. The sensor resolution of the N (12MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The N was revealed 3 years later than the SD970 IS and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the N grades vs the SD970 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon N over the Canon SD970 IS

 N SD970 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon N

 SD970 IS N 
Screen size3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon N and Canon SD970 IS

 N SD970 IS 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen resolution461k461kEqual screen resolution

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon N provides exterior measurements of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Canon SD970 IS has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the N versus the SD970 IS.

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the N and SD970 IS is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the N and SD970 IS.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution and you can expect similar quality of photos although you will need to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger N should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS sensor size comparison

Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon N as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
26
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon N
Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
65
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon N Sports photography info
Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
24
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon N as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
61
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon N Landscape photography highlights
Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
35
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (2.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
32
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon N Vlogging information
Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
72
pretty wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
missing microphone port
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Canon N vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon N and Canon SD970 IS
 Canon PowerShot NCanon PowerShot SD970 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot N Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Also called as - Digital IXUS 990 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-07 2009-02-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 2248 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 37-185mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.2-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology PureColor II G touch -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash options - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 ( 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 195 grams (0.43 lbs) 160 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" 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 life 200 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $299 -