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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 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
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony W800, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and W800 (20MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 6 years prior to the W800 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the W800 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony W800

 SD970 IS W800 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Canon SD970 IS

 W800 SD970 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2009More recent by 60 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony W800

 SD970 IS W800 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony W800 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony W800 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the W800.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and W800 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specifications. The visual underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and W800.

To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony W800 to show more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony W800 Portrait photography factors
26
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
38
megapixel count decent (20MP)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography factors
Sony W800 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Sony W800 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Sony W800
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
70
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Sony W800
32
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
41
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Sony W800
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
33
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than others in class (125g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony W800
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2014-02-13
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focusing range 2cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 ID NB-5L NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
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
Cost at launch - $90