Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 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
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(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 ImagesThe 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 Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Olympus SZ-12. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus SZ-12
| SD970 IS | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SD970 IS
| SZ-12 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2012 | February 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimension | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Olympus 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 |