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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS 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
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Overview

Below is a detailed assessment of the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX230 HS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SX230 HS (12MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was announced 3 years before the SX230 HS and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SD970 IS grades vs the SX230 HS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SD970 IS SX230 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX230 HS SD970 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2011February 2009More recent by 29 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX230 HS

 SD970 IS SX230 HS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution461k461kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with 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) and the Canon SX230 HS has measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX230 HS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS against the SX230 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and SX230 HS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and SX230 HS.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect similar quality of images but you would want to take the age of the products into consideration. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography features
26
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
you can focus manually
features face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Canon SX230 HS Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX230 HS Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX230 HS Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
61
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography advice
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
28
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
34
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX230 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX230 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Other name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-392mm (14.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - PureColor II TG TFT LCD
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 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings 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
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 223 grams (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 - 210 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots One One
Cost at launch - $399