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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony W290
(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
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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").

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The 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

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W290

 SD970 IS W290 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer 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 
ReleasedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Sony W290
26
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Sony W290
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
57
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Sony W290 Landscape photography information
32
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse mode
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Sony W290 Vlogging information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
28
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony 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