Canon PowerShot SD960 IS vs. SX700 HS: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Over the years, I’ve tested thousands of cameras across all categories - from rugged pro bodies to pocket-friendly compacts. Today, I’m narrowing in on two Canon compact cameras aimed at casual yet capable shooters: the 2009 Canon PowerShot SD960 IS (also known as Digital IXUS 110 IS) and the 2014 Canon PowerShot SX700 HS. Though both share Canon’s brand DNA, they hail from entirely different design philosophies and technological eras. With a 5-year gap and divergent target users, this comparison goes beyond specs - it delves into actual usability, image quality, and shooting performance that matter most when you're out in the field.

I’ll guide you through these cameras’ strengths and shortcomings across a variety of photography styles, breaking down technical details without drowning in jargon. Along the way, I’m integrating original side-by-side images and sample shots to anchor our discussion in real-world context. Whether you're after an ultra-portable point-and-shoot or a versatile superzoom compact, this analysis will help clarify which camera suits your passion and workflow.

First Impressions and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

A camera’s feel in hand shapes the shooting experience profoundly. Given how different these two are, I carefully compared their size, weight, and ergonomics under extended use conditions.

The SD960 IS is delightfully petite - measuring only 98 x 54 x 22 mm and weighing a mere 145 grams with battery and card. It fits snugly in the palm, practically disappearing in a jacket pocket. This pocket-rocket caters perfectly to travelers and street photographers prioritizing absolute portability.

In contrast, the SX700 HS nearly doubles the thickness and weight (113 x 66 x 35 mm, 269 grams). This heft is largely due to its expansive 30x zoom lens. The larger grip surface area yields a more secure hold, especially when manually focusing or shooting video. If you prefer a more substantial feel that encourages deliberate framing, the SX700 wins points here.

Beyond size and weight, the control layouts also diverge.

The SD960 IS keeps things minimalist with limited external controls - no dedicated exposure or manual focus rings, and a handful of buttons that emphasize auto shooting ease. It lacks advanced modes like aperture or shutter priority, making it a point-and-shoot by definition. This simplicity appeals to casual users but constrains creative control for enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the SX700 HS features exposure compensation dial and manual exposure settings, offering aperture, shutter priority, and manual modes. A discreet but useful command dial sits by the shutter release, complimenting menus streamlined by Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor. While it’s still not a DSLR or mirrorless interface, the SX700 balances compactness with meaningful control knobs for more ambitious photographers.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs. BSI-CMOS Technology

Technology development between 2009 and 2014 touched almost every camera system, most notably sensors and processors. Both cameras employ the common 1/2.3" sensor size (6.17 x 4.55 mm), but the SD960 IS’s is a 12MP CCD, whereas the SX700 HS uses a 16MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor.

CCD sensors historically offered excellent color fidelity but lagged behind CMOS in speed and high ISO performance. By 2014, BSI CMOS sensors integrated on the SX700 HS significantly improved low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. In my side-by-side lab tests and field shots, the SX700 consistently produces crisper images with less noise at ISO 800 and above.

The SD960 IS unexpectedly holds its own in bright daylight: colors remain vibrant and detail is decent thanks to Canon's color science, but images soften and noise rises markedly beyond ISO 400. The SX700’s larger megapixel count allows for higher resolution prints up to A3 size without losing clarity, edging the SD960 in general image quality.

While neither camera supports RAW shooting - limiting post-processing flexibility - the SX700’s higher dynamic range and improved digital filtering make its JPEGs easier to edit while preserving shadow and highlight details, something landscape and travel photographers will appreciate.

Viewing and Composition: Screens and Viewfinders Compared

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF), leaning on LCD screens for composition. The SD960 IS offers a 2.8-inch fixed LCD with only 230k dots of resolution, while the SX700 HS sports a larger 3-inch PureColor II G TFT screen boasting 922k dots – a significant upgrade.

In bright sunlight, the SX700’s screen maintains legibility far better than the SD960’s washed-out display. Though neither offers touchscreen capabilities or articulating panels, the SX700’s slightly larger, sharper display improves menu navigation and manual focusing precision.

Additionally, both cameras include face detection autofocus in live view mode, but the SX700’s improved AF algorithms paired with its DIGIC 6 processor enable faster and more reliable performance in varied lighting.

Autofocus Performance and Burst Shooting: Catching the Moment

Autofocus speed and accuracy are paramount for wildlife, sports, and street photography. Both units rely solely on contrast-detection AF - no phase-detection pixels here - but their practical performance varies widely.

The SD960 IS autofocuses sluggishly by today’s standards, around 1 second to lock in well-lit environments, and stalls in low light. It supports only single-shot AF, meaning you focus once before each exposure - no continuous AF tracking.

The SX700 HS markedly improves this with continuous AF support and a burst shooting rate of 9 frames per second, juicy specs for a compact. It can keep up with moving subjects moderately well and refocuses swiftly even as you pan. In my extended testing chasing fast-moving cyclists and city birds, the SX700 delivered a steadier hit rate.

Lens and Zoom Range: Flexibility or Simplicity?

If there’s one standout difference in design philosophy, it’s the zoom range.

• SD960 IS: 28–112mm equivalent (4x optical zoom), f/2.8–5.8 aperture
• SX700 HS: 25–750mm equivalent (30x optical zoom), f/3.2–6.9 aperture

The SD960 IS offers a fast-ish lens wide end (f/2.8) and a respectable zoom range for everyday snapshots, but it simply cannot compete for reach with the SX700 HS’s superzoom.

Canon SD960 IS screen back Canon SX700 HS screen back

In practice, the 30x zoom on the SX700 HS unlocks photography genres like wildlife, sports, and distant landscapes that remain inaccessible with the SD960 IS. While the narrower aperture at telephoto limits low-light shooting, built-in optical image stabilization compensates well for hand shake, crucial when shooting extended focal lengths handheld.

Conversely, the SD960 IS edges slightly closer in macro with a minimum focusing distance of 2 cm versus the SX700’s 1 cm, which is noteworthy for close-up enthusiasts seeking fine detail without adding bulky macro lenses.

Photography Styles: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s break down how each camera performs in various photography genres, recognizing that neither is a professional-level device but both hold value for specific users.

Portrait Photography

The SD960’s faster wide aperture (f/2.8) allows marginally better background blur ("bokeh") at short zoom lengths, flattering for skin tones with its warm color rendition. Face detection autofocus helps, but limited autofocus points and sluggish AF speed hamper precision.

The SX700 HS, despite its slower lens, benefits from a more sophisticated AF system and higher resolution sensor, yielding more detailed portraits. Post-shot cropping is also easier due to the 16MP files. However, at maximum telephoto, lens softness and diffraction impact edge sharpness.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range matter most. The SX700’s superior sensor and cleaner high ISO advantage deliver richer shadow details and robust highlight handling, critical for sunrise and sunset scenes.

The SD960 IS’s 12MP sensor falls short for large prints or aggressive cropping, and limited dynamic range means blown-out skies in harsh light are common. Neither offers weather sealing, but the SX700’s sturdier build is a plus for nature outings.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The SD960 IS is simply outclassed here - a single AF mode, negligible burst rate, and short zoom range cannot track or capture fast-moving subjects effectively.

The SX700 HS, with 9fps burst mode and vastly extended zoom, performs well in daylight wildlife spotting or amateur sports shooting, though the lack of phase-detection AF and moderate AF tracking limit success in fast action compared to DSLRs or mirrorless.

Street Photography

The deceptive pocketability of the SD960 IS makes it stealthier for candid shots. Its modest zoom and quick startup complement discreet shooting needs.

The SX700 HS, while portable relative to DSLRs, is bulkier and more conspicuous but benefits from quick AF and longer zoom versatility for isolated urban details.

Macro and Close-Up

The SX700 HS’s 1cm macro focusing distance is impressive, and the optical stabilization helps capture fine detail without blur. However, its slower telephoto aperture demands more light.

The SD960 IS’s macro is sufficiently good for casual flower or insect shots closer than 2 cm, but its fixed zoom range restricts framing creativity.

Night and Astro Photography

This is a tough round for both. The SD960 IS’s ISO tops at 1600 but produces noisy, mushy images in low light. Long shutter speeds max at 1.6 seconds without bulb mode, insufficient for stars.

The SX700 HS pushes ISO to 3200, cleaner images thanks to advanced sensor tech, and a max shutter speed up to 1/3200 sec allowing better control. Still, built-in noise reduction limits astrophotography use, and lack of RAW means editing flexibility suffers.

Video Capabilities: Not the Focus but Worth Considering

Neither camera is a video powerhouse by current standards.

• SD960 IS offers 720p HD video at 30fps using Motion JPEG format, limiting compression efficiency and producing relatively large files.
• SX700 HS steps up to 1080p Full HD at both 30 and 60fps, recording in H.264 - a more efficient codec for smoother, higher quality footage.

Neither supports microphone input or advanced video features. The SX700's optical stabilization notably improves handheld video stability, making it the go-to for casual videography despite the absence of 4K.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera features environmental sealing or rugged protections such as dustproofing or freeze resistance. The SX700’s more robust plastic and metal composite construction feels durable for a compact, while the SD960 IS is light and delicate, better suited for gentle everyday use in controlled environments.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Modern Conveniences

The SD960 IS uses the NB-4L battery with unlisted official capacity but generally supports around 250 shots per charge - typical of its class.

The SX700 HS uses the NB-6LH battery, officially rated at 250 shots per charge, which aligns with real-world performance. For extended shoots, packing a spare is advisable on either.

Connectivity is a clear SX700 strength: built-in Wi-Fi with NFC support enables easy smartphone transfer and remote control, somewhat remarkable for 2014 standards. The SD960 IS lacks wireless capabilities entirely.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras possess fixed lenses, eliminating lens-swapping versatility found in mirrorless or DSLR systems. The SX700’s longer zoom vastly broadens framing options without additional gear, while the SD960 IS is shackled to its modest 4x zoom range.

Summing Up Performance Scores and Genre Strengths

The numbers only tell half the story, but synthesized assessments help clarify who each camera benefits most.

• The SX700 HS scores higher overall, led by image quality, zoom range, autofocus speed, and video capability.
• The SD960 IS is rated strongly for portability and casual photography.
• Neither excels in professional-grade demands but meet entry-level expectations differently.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS if:

• You prize ultra-compact size and weight for pure portability.
• You mostly shoot casual snapshots, street photography, or simple travel albums.
• You want straightforward operation without fuss or manual exposure modes.
• Your budget constraints favor older, used, or thrifted gear.
• Macro shots within very short distances are a frequent interest.

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS if:

• Superzoom versatility is a priority - wildlife, sports, travel versatility.
• You want better image quality, faster autofocus, and manual controls.
• Video shooting at Full HD 60fps is important.
• Wireless connectivity for quick sharing matters.
• You seek a balance between compactness and functional control for enthusiast-level photography.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Compacts Across Time

The Canon SD960 IS and SX700 HS exemplify evolving camera paradigms. The SD960 IS delivers classic, no-frills compact convenience - an ideal pocket companion when minimalism reigns supreme. Its limitations in sensor tech and zoom range, however, relegate it mainly to casual users and collectors.

The SX700 HS is a testament to incremental technological leaps: bigger sensor resolution, better processing, longer zoom, and richer controls elevate it into modest enthusiast territory. Though it cannot rival interchangeable lens systems or mirrorless models, it offers a balanced, all-in-one solution for generalist photographers unwilling or unable to carry heavier gear.

From the vantage point of extensive camera testing, I can affirm that the SX700 HS’s gains in image quality, autofocus responsiveness, zoom flexibility, and feature set translate into noticeable real-world benefits. Yet, I also appreciate the straightforward charm and sheer portability of the SD960 IS. Like choosing between a faithful city bicycle and a rugged touring bike, your camera choice depends on where, how, and what you shoot.

If you found this comparison helpful or have experience with either camera, I welcome your thoughts below. Happy shooting!