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Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Samsung PL200 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
22
Overall
31

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Samsung PL200
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-217mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
  • 170g - 100 x 60 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2010
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Canon SD970 IS and Samsung PL200, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Samsung. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the PL200 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured 17 months prior to the PL200 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SD970 IS scores vs the PL200 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Samsung PL200

 SD970 IS PL200 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL200 over the Canon SD970 IS

 PL200 SD970 IS 
RevealedJuly 2010February 2009Fresher by 17 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Samsung PL200

 SD970 IS PL200 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Samsung PL200 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 170 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD970 IS and Samsung PL200 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS vs the PL200.

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and PL200 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The visual below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and PL200.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Samsung PL200 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography information
Samsung PL200 Portrait photography information
26
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Samsung PL200 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography details
Samsung PL200 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Samsung PL200 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
58
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Samsung PL200
32
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
37
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Samsung PL200 Vlogging information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Samsung PL200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Samsung PL200
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSamsung PL200
General Information
Brand Name Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Samsung PL200
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2010-07-21
Physical type 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 31-217mm (7.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.5
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic 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 lb) 170g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 100 x 60 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8")
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 BP70A
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC'/MMC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release - $0