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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
25
Overall
32

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony W620
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 116g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony W620, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the W620 (14MP) is fairly similar and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was brought out 3 years prior to the W620 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS matches up against the W620 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W620

 SD970 IS W620 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W620 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W620 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009Newer by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W620

 SD970 IS W620 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS offers exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W620 has dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 116 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony W620 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS and the W620.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and W620 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over specs. The image here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and W620.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony W620 to offer more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Sony W620
26
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Sony W620
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
lighter than competitors (116 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W620 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Sony W620 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competitors (116 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Sony W620
32
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W620 as a Vlogging camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competitors (116g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W620 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony W620
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W620
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 116 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 life - 220 pictures
Battery style - 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, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price - $102