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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Superseded the Canon SX710 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX730 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SD970 IS versus Canon SX720 HS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Canon. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SX720 HS (20.3MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 8 years prior to the SX720 HS which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SD970 IS scores against the SX720 HS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX720 HS

 SD970 IS SX720 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX720 HS SD970 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2009Newer by 85 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display resolution922k461kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX720 HS

 SD970 IS SX720 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS has got outside 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) whilst the Canon SX720 HS has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS versus Canon SX720 HS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS and the SX720 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and SX720 HS is 94 and 89 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and SX720 HS.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX720 HS to resolve extra detail having an extra 8.3MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography features
26
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
47
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20.3MP)
supports face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX720 HS as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (270g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Canon SX720 HS Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
48
incredible zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20.3 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (5.9 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX720 HS
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
67
lighter than competitors in class (270 grams)
megapixel count decent (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (960mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography info
Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography info
32
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
50
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20.3 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX720 HS as a Vlogging camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
34
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (270 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX720 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX720 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX720 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2016-02-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - DIGIC 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20.3 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
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) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.9 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 270g (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
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 - 250 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-13L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing - $379