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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 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
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Introduced March 2015
  • Previous Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Successor is Olympus SH-3
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Olympus. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SH-2 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 7 years before the SH-2 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SD970 IS scores versus the SH-2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus SH-2

 SD970 IS SH-2 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Canon SD970 IS

 SH-2 SD970 IS 
IntroducedMarch 2015February 2009Newer by 73 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus SH-2

 SD970 IS SH-2 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS comes with outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-2 has specifications of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS versus the SH-2.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and SH-2 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and SH-2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SH-2 to offer greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
44
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Olympus SH-2 Street photography info
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
lighter than average (271 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery (380 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
74
better than average battery (380 shots)
lighter than average (271g)
boasts focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography highlights
32
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
55
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Olympus SH-2
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus SH-2
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Olympus Stylus SH-2
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2015-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 11.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 160 gr (0.35 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 380 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots One One
Price at launch - $399