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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
Portability
80
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 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
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Released August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX500 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX520 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Canon SD970 IS versus Canon SX510 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Canon. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SX510 HS (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was announced 5 years before the SX510 HS and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SD970 IS grades vs the SX510 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX510 HS

 SD970 IS SX510 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX510 HS SD970 IS 
ReleasedAugust 2013February 2009More recent by 54 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX510 HS

 SD970 IS SX510 HS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution461k461kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS features exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Canon SX510 HS has proportions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD970 IS versus Canon SX510 HS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS versus the SX510 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and SX510 HS is 94 and 80 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and SX510 HS.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of files but you will want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The older SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography information
Canon SX510 HS Portrait photography information
26
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
manual focus
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Canon SX510 HS Street photography info
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
50
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX510 HS Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Canon SX510 HS Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
54
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (250 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX510 HS
32
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
40
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery (250 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX510 HS Vlogging features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
31
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX510 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX510 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing range 2cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, on, slow synchro, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 349 grams (0.77 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 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 life - 250 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing - $249