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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon SD970 IS and Sony TF1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and TF1 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD970 IS was launched 5 years earlier than the TF1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS grades versus the TF1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony TF1

 SD970 IS TF1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 TF1 SD970 IS 
LaunchedJune 2013February 2009Fresher by 52 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony TF1

 SD970 IS TF1 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys 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) and the Sony TF1 has measurements of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS and Sony TF1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the TF1.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and TF1 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and TF1.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony TF1 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony TF1 Portrait photography highlights
26
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
weather proof
lighter than competition (152 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography details
Sony TF1 Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (240 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Sony TF1 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than competition (152 grams)
weather proof
boasts touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (240 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
Sony TF1 Landscape photography features
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
40
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (240 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony TF1 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
33
quite wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (152g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony TF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony TF1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
Other name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2009-02-18 2013-06-21
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.6-4.7
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lb) 152 gr (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 life - 240 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch - $266