Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V Key Specs
(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
- Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Revealed July 2012
- Previous Model is Sony HX10V
- Later Model is Sony HX30V
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The following is a detailed comparison of the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SD970 IS was released 4 years prior to the HX20V which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SD970 IS scores against the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Sony HX20V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony HX20V
| SD970 IS | HX20V |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon SD970 IS
| HX20V | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | July 2012 | February 2009 | Newer by 41 months | |
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Screen resolution | 922k | 461k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony HX20V
| SD970 IS | HX20V | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS features exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS against the HX20V.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and HX20V is 94 and 90 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and HX20V.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony HX20V to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX20V Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Sony |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V |
| Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Released | 2009-02-18 | 2012-07-20 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 18MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4896 x 3672 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.2-5.8 |
| Macro focus distance | 2cm | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 461k dots | 922k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen technology | - | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.50 m | 7.10 m |
| Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 160 gr (0.35 pounds) | 254 gr (0.56 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around 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 life | - | 320 pictures |
| Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NB-5L | NP-BG1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Price at launch | - | $397 |