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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Updated by Canon SX510 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Canon. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 4 years before the SX500 IS and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS grades against the SX500 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX500 IS

 SD970 IS SX500 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX500 IS SD970 IS 
RevealedAugust 2012February 2009Fresher by 42 months
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX500 IS

 SD970 IS SX500 IS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution461k461kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Canon SX500 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS against the SX500 IS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and SX500 IS is 94 and 80 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and SX500 IS.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to resolve greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography features
26
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
46
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/1,600 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
45
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (195 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
60
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (195 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography advice
32
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
46
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (195 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging factors
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
28
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
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 1
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/1600s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 341 gr (0.75 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 195 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-6L
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 One One
Price at release - $299