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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX210 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 220g - 103 x 61 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX200 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX230 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Canon. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SX210 IS (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 16 months earlier than the SX210 IS which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS scores versus the SX210 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX210 IS

 SD970 IS SX210 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX210 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX210 IS SD970 IS 
IntroducedJune 2010February 2009Newer by 16 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX210 IS

 SD970 IS SX210 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS provides external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Canon SX210 IS has proportions of 103mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 220 grams (0.49 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS versus the SX210 IS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and SX210 IS is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and SX210 IS.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SX210 IS to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX210 IS
26
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
38
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Canon SX210 IS
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (220g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX210 IS Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
43
long zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX210 IS Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competition in class (220g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (392mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX210 IS
32
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
48
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX210 IS
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
30
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (220g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX210 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX210 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX210 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX210 IS
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-392mm (14.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure 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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone 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) 220g (0.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 103 x 61 x 38mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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-5L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price - $226