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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 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
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Launched July 2010
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was introduced 16 months earlier than the WX5 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SD970 IS scores vs the WX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony WX5

 SD970 IS WX5 
Display dimension3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Canon SD970 IS

 WX5 SD970 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2010February 2009More recent by 16 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony WX5

 SD970 IS WX5 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution461k461kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS has got outer dimensions 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 WX5 has proportions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS against the WX5.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and WX5 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and WX5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you should really consider the release date of the products into consideration. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
20
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Sony WX5 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
33
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony WX5 Landscape photography advice
32
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
36
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Sony WX5 Vlogging factors
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony WX5
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.8 inch
Screen resolution 461k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, 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) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 146 gr (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 model NB-5L NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost - $250