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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Launched March 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon SD970 IS versus Canon SX280 HS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Canon. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SX280 HS (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was introduced 5 years prior to the SX280 HS which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SD970 IS grades vs the SX280 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX280 HS

 SD970 IS SX280 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX280 HS SD970 IS 
LaunchedMarch 2013February 2009More modern by 49 months
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX280 HS

 SD970 IS SX280 HS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution461k461kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has got external 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) and the Canon SX280 HS has measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS versus Canon SX280 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the SX280 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and SX280 HS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out specs. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and SX280 HS.

All in all, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of images but you should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Portrait photography camera
26
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
manual focus
has face detection focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX280 HS
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
61
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX280 HS
32
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
41
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX280 HS Vlogging highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX280 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX280 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2013-03-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic 6
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
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 speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 233 grams (0.51 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" 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 photos
Style 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch - $325