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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 3 years prior to the VG-160 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SD970 IS scores against the VG-160 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Olympus VG-160

 SD970 IS VG-160 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Canon SD970 IS

 VG-160 SD970 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009Fresher by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Olympus VG-160

 SD970 IS VG-160 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS features physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has proportions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS vs the VG-160.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and VG-160 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and VG-160.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Olympus VG-160 to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography features
26
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
lighter than competition in class (125g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
27
resolution is good (14MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (165 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
66
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (165 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
32
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
37
decently wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery life (165 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
30
decently wide (26mm)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (125g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Olympus VG-160
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISOlympus VG-160
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Olympus VG-160
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2012-01-10
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 2cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
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 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 125g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 165 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release - $90