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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Alternate Name is mju 550WP
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus 550WP, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the 550WP (10MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 2 months later than the 550WP which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD970 IS grades against the 550WP for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus 550WP

 SD970 IS 550WP 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Canon SD970 IS

 550WP SD970 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus 550WP

 SD970 IS 550WP 
ReleasedFebruary 2009January 2009Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS has got physical 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) while the Olympus 550WP has sizing of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD970 IS versus Olympus 550WP in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the 550WP.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and 550WP is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and 550WP.

To sum up, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SD970 IS to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus 550WP Portrait photography highlights
26
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus 550WP as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography details
Olympus 550WP Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Olympus 550WP Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
55
weather sealing
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Olympus 550WP Landscape photography information
32
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no manual exposure
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Olympus 550WP
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus 550WP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus 550WP
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus Stylus 550WP
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Olympus Stylus 550WP
Alternate name Digital IXUS 990 IS mju 550WP
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.0
Macro focus distance 2cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price - $399