Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


96 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2009
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Released January 2012

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Overview
Below is a in-depth review of the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and W650 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was announced 3 years before the W650 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SD970 IS scores against the W650 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Sony W650 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W650
SD970 IS | W650 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Canon SD970 IS
W650 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 35 months |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W650
SD970 IS | W650 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has got physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W650 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).
Examine the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony W650 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS and the W650.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and W650 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The visual here may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and W650.
All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony W650 to result in greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 |
Also called as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 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 dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/2.6-6.3 |
Macro focusing distance | 2cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | Clear Photo TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.70 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 160g (0.35 lb) | 124g (0.27 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 | - | 220 photographs |
Style of battery | - | 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 recording | ||
Storage type | 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 | One | One |
Pricing at launch | - | $140 |