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Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
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Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Samsung. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured about the same time to the HZ15W and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SD970 IS scores against the HZ15W when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Samsung HZ15W

 SD970 IS HZ15W 
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Canon SD970 IS

 HZ15W SD970 IS 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Samsung HZ15W

 SD970 IS HZ15W 
LaunchedFebruary 2009February 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SD970 IS versus the HZ15W.

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and HZ15W is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and HZ15W.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you can expect comparable quality of photos however you should really take the age of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography advice
26
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
31
focusing manually
comes with face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
52
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than others in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
54
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (249g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
40
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
28
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (249 grams)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Samsung HZ15W
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Name Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Samsung HZ15W
Alternate name Digital IXUS 990 IS WB550
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2009-02-23
Body design 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 249 gr (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch - $330