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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS 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
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX270 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX260 HS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SX260 HS (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 4 years before the SX260 HS and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SD970 IS grades versus the SX260 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX260 HS

 SD970 IS SX260 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX260 HS SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJune 2012February 2009More recent by 40 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX260 HS

 SD970 IS SX260 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution461k461kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Canon SX260 HS has measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX260 HS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the SX260 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and SX260 HS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specifications. The graphic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and SX260 HS.

Plainly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of images although you should really consider the age of the products into consideration. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography advice
26
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
37
has manual focus
includes face detection focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography information
Canon SX260 HS Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (231g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Canon SX260 HS Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX260 HS Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
61
lighter than competitors in class (231 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography factors
Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography factors
32
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
41
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX260 HS Vlogging highlights
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (231 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX260 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX260 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2012-06-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic 5
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
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - PureColor II TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 231 gr (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 106 x 61 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 - 230 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost - $349