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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 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 HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced June 2010
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is pretty similar but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The SD970 IS was revealed 16 months earlier than the HX5 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the HX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony HX5

 SD970 IS HX5 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Canon SD970 IS

 HX5 SD970 IS 
IntroducedJune 2010February 2009More modern by 16 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony HX5

 SD970 IS HX5 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features external 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) while the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony HX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS and the HX5.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and HX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specs. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and HX5.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SD970 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Canon SD970 IS will offer extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Portrait photography camera
26
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Sony HX5
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Sony HX5 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
60
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony HX5 Landscape photography advice
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
37
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony HX5 Vlogging highlights
28
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony HX5
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-18 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 200g (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 model NB-5L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch - $275