Clicky

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 front
Portability
69
Imaging
31
Features
25
Overall
28

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony H50
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-465mm (F2.7-4.5) lens
  • 547g - 116 x 81 x 86mm
  • Revealed January 2009
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony H50, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and H50 (9MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SD970 IS was manufactured 2 months after the H50 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SD970 IS grades versus the H50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony H50

 SD970 IS H50 
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H50 over the Canon SD970 IS

 H50 SD970 IS 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony H50

 SD970 IS H50 
RevealedFebruary 2009January 2009Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony H50 has dimensions of 116mm x 81mm x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 547 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony H50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, 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 H50.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and H50 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and H50.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SD970 IS to give you extra detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony H50 Portrait photography factors
26
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
26
manual focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (9MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Sony H50
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (547 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony H50 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
32
amazing zoom range (31-465mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (9MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony H50 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
43
flash built-in
very long reach (465mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (547 grams)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony H50 Landscape photography advice
32
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
34
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony H50 as a Vlogging camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
19
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (547g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony H50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony H50
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-02-18 2009-01-15
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 9 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 31-465mm (15.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.7-4.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 9.10 m
Flash modes 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480, 30 fps, 320 x 240, 8 fps
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 547g (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 116 x 81 x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4")
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 ID NB-5L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost - $80