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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony W710
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 114g - 97 x 55 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and W710 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured 4 years prior to the W710 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS grades vs the W710 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W710

 SD970 IS W710 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W710 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W710 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 47 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W710

 SD970 IS W710 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS comes with exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W710 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 114 grams (0.25 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS and the W710.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and W710 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The image below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and W710.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony W710 to show extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Sony W710 Portrait photography features
26
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography details
Sony W710 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (114g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Sony W710 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Sony W710 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
71
lighter than competition in class (114 grams)
provides focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony W710 Landscape photography factors
32
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
39
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W710 as a Vlogging camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (114 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W710 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony W710
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2013-01-08
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 16 megapixel
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
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus distance 2cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 114 grams (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 55 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 - 240 photos
Battery style - 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
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch - $90