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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony W650
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W650

 SD970 IS W650 
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W650 SD970 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W650

 SD970 IS W650 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 size comparison

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

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
decent MP (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Sony W650 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Sony W650 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Sony W650
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Sony W650
32
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony W650 Vlogging highlights
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
33
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony W650
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony 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