Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS
92 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
- 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
- Announced November 2013
- Previous Model is Canon S110
(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
- Launched February 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS Overview
Following is a in depth analysis of the Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both created by Canon. The image resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the SD970 IS (12MP) is very well matched but the S120 (1/1.7") and SD970 IS (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe S120 was released 4 years after the SD970 IS which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the S120 scores against the SD970 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot S120 and Canon PowerShot SD970 IS. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon S120 Gallery and Canon SD970 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon SD970 IS
| S120 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | November 2013 | February 2009 | More modern by 59 months | |
| Manual focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Display resolution | 922k | 461k | Clearer display (+461k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon S120
| SD970 IS | S120 |
|---|
Common features in the Canon S120 and Canon SD970 IS
| S120 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display measurements | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen |
Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon S120 has exterior dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Canon SD970 IS has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).
Look at the Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the S120 and the SD970 IS.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and SD970 IS is 92 and 94 respectively.
Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The pic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S120 and SD970 IS.
All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The S120 offers the larger sensor which should make achieving bokeh easier. The fresher S120 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon S120 vs Canon SD970 IS Specifications
| Canon PowerShot S120 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot S120 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| Also referred to as | - | Digital IXUS 990 IS |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Announced | 2013-11-26 | 2009-02-18 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Digic 6 | - |
| Sensor type | BSI-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 |
| Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 37-185mm (5.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/1.8-5.7 | f/3.2-5.7 |
| Macro focus range | 3cm | 2cm |
| Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 922 thousand dot | 461 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen tech | TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 12.0fps | 1.0fps |
| 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 modes | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 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) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 217g (0.48 lbs) | 160g (0.35 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 56 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.3 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.9 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 246 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 photos | - |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | NB-6LH | NB-5L |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Cost at launch | $449 | - |