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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Introduced May 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SD970 IS and Sony H20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was introduced 2 months earlier than the H20 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SD970 IS scores against the H20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony H20

 SD970 IS H20 
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Canon SD970 IS

 H20 SD970 IS 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony H20

 SD970 IS H20 
IntroducedFebruary 2009May 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony H20 has measurements of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS and Sony H20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS vs the H20.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and H20 is 94 and 87 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and H20.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Canon SD970 IS to produce extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Sony H20
26
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Sony H20
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony H20 Sports photography highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Sony H20 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
long reach (380mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Sony H20 Landscape photography highlights
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony H20 Vlogging highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony H20
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-18 2009-05-14
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing distance 2cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
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 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch - $249