Clicky

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 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 SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2012
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The SD970 IS was unveiled 3 years prior to the SZ-12 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SD970 IS scores versus the SZ-12 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus SZ-12

 SD970 IS SZ-12 
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SD970 IS

 SZ-12 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus SZ-12

 SD970 IS SZ-12 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS provides outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-12 has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS and the SZ-12.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and SZ-12 is 94 and 89 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and SZ-12.

Clearly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-12 to offer extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
26
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
no Time Lapse function
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging factors
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus SZ-12
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Olympus SZ-12
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 2cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 gr (0.35 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" 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 - 220 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost - $350