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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus FE-45 front
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 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
Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus FE-45, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FE-45 (10MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was introduced 2 months later than the FE-45 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SD970 IS grades against the FE-45 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus FE-45

 SD970 IS FE-45 
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Canon SD970 IS

 FE-45 SD970 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus FE-45

 SD970 IS FE-45 
RevealedFebruary 2009January 2009Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS comes with physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Olympus FE-45 has specifications of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus FE-45 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS vs the FE-45.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and FE-45 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The visual underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and FE-45.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SD970 IS to resolve greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Olympus FE-45 Portrait photography factors
26
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus FE-45 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Digital)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Olympus FE-45
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
26
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Olympus FE-45 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography details
32
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
26
built in image stabilization (Digital)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging advice
Olympus FE-45 Vlogging advice
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
25
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus FE-45
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus FE-45
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Olympus FE-45
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 36-108mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 160 grams (0.35 lb) 142 grams (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal
Card slots One One
Price at release - $130