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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2014
  • Old Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX530 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Canon. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SX520 HS (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured 6 years prior to the SX520 HS which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SD970 IS scores versus the SX520 HS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SD970 IS SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX520 HS SD970 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2014February 2009More modern by 66 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX520 HS

 SD970 IS SX520 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution461k461kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Canon SX520 HS has dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SD970 IS vs the SX520 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and SX520 HS is 94 and 69 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and SX520 HS.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to result in extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography features
26
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX520 HS Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX520 HS Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery pack (210 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography advice
32
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
46
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery pack (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging information
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2014-07-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4+
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias 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 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focusing range 2cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 441g (0.97 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 210 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L NB-6LH
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
Card slots 1 1
Retail price - $219