Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
- Released February 2009
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Overview
Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe SD970 IS was unveiled at a similar time to the W290 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SD970 IS grades vs the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Photography Glossary Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W290
| SD970 IS | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SD970 IS
| W290 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W290
| SD970 IS | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2009 | February 2009 | Same generation | |
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS comes with 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 W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS against the W290.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The picture here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and W290.
All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you have to take the release date of the cameras into account.
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
| Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2009-02-18 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | 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 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focusing range | 2cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15s | 2s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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 file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 160 grams (0.35 lb) | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
| Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| 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 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | - | $230 |