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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS front
Portability
86
Imaging
38
Features
40
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX150 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 306g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Succeeded the Canon SX130 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX150 IS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Canon. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SX150 IS (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was launched 4 years prior to the SX150 IS and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SD970 IS scores vs the SX150 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX150 IS

 SD970 IS SX150 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX150 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX150 IS SD970 IS 
LaunchedMay 2012February 2009Fresher by 39 months
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX150 IS

 SD970 IS SX150 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS features exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Canon SX150 IS has specifications of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX150 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the SX150 IS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and SX150 IS is 94 and 86 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and SX150 IS.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX150 IS to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX150 IS
26
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
42
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX150 IS as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (306g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX150 IS
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (130 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX150 IS
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
64
lighter than competition (306g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (336mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery power (130 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX150 IS Landscape photography details
32
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
46
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery power (130 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX150 IS as a Vlogging camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (306g)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX150 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX150 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX150 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2012-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-336mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.4-5.6
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 306 grams (0.67 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 130 images
Battery form - AA
Battery model NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch - $249