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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX170 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Canon. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 5 years prior to the SX170 IS which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SD970 IS grades against the SX170 IS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SD970 IS SX170 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX170 IS SD970 IS 
LaunchedAugust 2013February 2009More modern by 54 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 SD970 IS SX170 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX170 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS against the SX170 IS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and SX170 IS is 94 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and SX170 IS.

Plainly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX170 IS to resolve greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography factors
26
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Canon SX170 IS Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography info
Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography info
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
49
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX170 IS Vlogging features
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
31
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (251g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 251g (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 300 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release - $0