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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX730 HS front
Portability
88
Imaging
47
Features
59
Overall
51

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 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
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Canon SX730 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 300g - 110 x 64 x 40mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Succeeded the Canon SX720 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX740 HS
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX730 HS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Canon. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SX730 HS (20.3MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 9 years prior to the SX730 HS which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the SX730 HS for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Canon SX730 HS

 SD970 IS SX730 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX730 HS over the Canon SD970 IS

 SX730 HS SD970 IS 
LaunchedApril 2017February 2009More modern by 98 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k461kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX730 HS

 SD970 IS SX730 HS 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS offers 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) while the Canon SX730 HS has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 300 grams (0.66 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX730 HS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS vs the SX730 HS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and SX730 HS is 94 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The image below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and SX730 HS.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX730 HS to offer more detail having an extra 8.3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX730 HS Portrait photography factors
26
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
48
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20.3 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX730 HS as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (300 grams)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX730 HS Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
48
long zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20.3MP)
has tracking focus
max fps low (5.9 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (250 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX730 HS Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
72
lighter than average (300g)
supports bluetooth
megapixel count good (20.3 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (960mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX730 HS Landscape photography advice
32
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20.3 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery pack (250 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Canon SX730 HS Vlogging info
28
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
74
decently wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (300g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX730 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Canon SX730 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISCanon PowerShot SX730 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2017-04-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20.3MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 461k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 5.9 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.00 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, on, slow synchro, off
Hot shoe
AE 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 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 gr (0.35 lb) 300 gr (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 64 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6")
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 - 250 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 secs, self-timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release - $399