Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
88 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 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
- Introduced February 2009
- Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(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").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 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.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Olympus SZ-15. The entire galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus SZ-15
| SD970 IS | SZ-15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 461k | 460k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Canon SD970 IS
| SZ-15 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | June 2013 | February 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsStreet Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesSports Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneTravel Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideLandscape Comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraVlogging Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Olympus 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 |