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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2012
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and W690 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD970 IS was revealed 4 years before the W690 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SD970 IS matches up against the W690 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W690

 SD970 IS W690 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W690 SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W690

 SD970 IS W690 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS comes with outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W690 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS and the W690.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and W690 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and W690.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony W690 to render greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Sony W690 Portrait photography details
26
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography features
Sony W690 Street photography features
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography details
Sony W690 Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Sony W690 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
68
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
Sony W690 Landscape photography features
32
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Sony W690 Vlogging information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony W690
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 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/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing - $297