Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


95 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28
Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Key Specs
(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
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
- 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
- Revealed July 2009
- Additionally Known as X-935

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Overview
Below is a complete assessment of the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus FE-5020, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FE-5020 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was released 5 months earlier than the FE-5020 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SD970 IS scores against the FE-5020 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Olympus FE-5020. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Olympus FE-5020 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus FE-5020
SD970 IS | FE-5020 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Canon SD970 IS
FE-5020 | SD970 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus FE-5020
SD970 IS | FE-5020 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | July 2009 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS offers outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Olympus FE-5020 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus FE-5020 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS against the FE-5020.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and FE-5020 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and FE-5020.
All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of images though you might want to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Olympus FE-5020 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Olympus FE-5020 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 990 IS | X-935 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2009-07-22 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | TruePic III |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3968 x 2976 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.3-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 2cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/500 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 4.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 160 grams (0.35 lbs) | 137 grams (0.30 lbs) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
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 ID | NB-5L | LI-42B |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | xD-Picture Card, microSD |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | - | $160 |