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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus SZ-15 front
Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Released June 2013
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus SZ-15, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was brought out 5 years earlier than the SZ-15 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SD970 IS scores against the SZ-15 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus SZ-15

 SD970 IS SZ-15 
Display resolution461k460kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Canon SD970 IS

 SZ-15 SD970 IS 
ReleasedJune 2013February 2009More modern by 52 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus SZ-15

 SD970 IS SZ-15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS features outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-15 has specifications of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus SZ-15 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 use at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS vs the SZ-15.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and SZ-15 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and SZ-15.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-15 to deliver greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography factors
26
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
43
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Olympus SZ-15 Street photography info
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
52
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography features
32
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
49
has manual focus
decently wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging details
Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
34
decently wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus SZ-15
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus SZ-15
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Olympus SZ-15
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2013-06-21
Body design 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 23-483mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 250 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" 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 ID NB-5L SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release - $200