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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus FE-5020 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Olympus FE-5020
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus FE-5020

 SD970 IS FE-5020 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper 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 
RevealedFebruary 2009July 2009Same generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography info
Olympus FE-5020 Portrait photography info
26
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
20
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography information
Olympus FE-5020 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
59
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (137g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus FE-5020 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
environment proof
max shutter speed is low (1/500s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus FE-5020 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
64
lighter than competition in class (137 grams)
environment proof
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Olympus FE-5020 Landscape photography details
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
31
quite wide (24mm)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus FE-5020 as a Vlogging camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
28
quite wide (24mm)
lighter than competition in class (137g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus FE-5020 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus FE-5020
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus 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