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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(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
  • Released February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 100 x 53 x 23mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SD980 IS (12MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD970 IS was unveiled 6 months prior to the SD980 IS so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the SD970 IS scores versus the SD980 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SD980 IS

 SD970 IS SD980 IS 
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SD980 IS SD970 IS 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SD980 IS

 SD970 IS SD980 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009August 2009Same age
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Canon SD980 IS has dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the SD980 IS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and SD980 IS is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and SD980 IS.

As you can see, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of images although you might want to consider the age of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography factors
26
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Canon SD980 IS
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography information
Canon SD980 IS Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
58
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
38
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
Canon SD980 IS Vlogging features
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
31
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SD980 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SD980 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS Digital IXUS 200 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2009-08-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic 4
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/3000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 150g (0.33 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-5L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Card slots 1 1