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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
42
Features
56
Overall
47

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony WX500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 7 years before the WX500 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SD970 IS scores versus the WX500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Sony WX500

 SD970 IS WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Canon SD970 IS

 WX500 SD970 IS 
IntroducedApril 2015February 2009More modern by 74 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Sony WX500

 SD970 IS WX500 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS comes with external dimensions 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 WX500 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS versus Sony WX500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS versus the WX500.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and WX500 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The picture here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and WX500.

To sum up, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony WX500 to give extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Sony WX500
26
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
38
decent megapixels (18MP)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Sony WX500
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
69
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography information
Sony WX500 Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
56
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery power (360 shots)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography highlights
Sony WX500 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
71
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony WX500 Landscape photography advice
32
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
48
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
better than average battery power (360 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Sony WX500
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (236g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Sony WX500
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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) 236g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 - 360 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing - $348