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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Canon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SD970 IS was released 14 months prior to the A850 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SD970 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS grades vs the A850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony A850

 SD970 IS A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon SD970 IS

 A850 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedApril 2010February 2009Newer by 14 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution922k461kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony A850

 SD970 IS A850 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS offers physical 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 Sony A850 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS vs the A850.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and A850 is 94 and 54 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and A850.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SD970 IS due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A850 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
26
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
72
has manual focus
MP count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Sony A850
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Sony A850
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
55
environment proofing
MP count high (25 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony A850
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-02-18 2010-04-15
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 -
Macro focus range 2cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Two
Pricing at release - $0