• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
  • Canon PowerShot S90
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon S80
S80 vs S90
Successor:   Canon S95
S90 vs S95
General
Model Number: SD970 IS S90
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $379.99 $429.99
Street Price: $169.95  
Date Available: 2009-04-15 2009-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.7 oz (189 g)
includes batteries
6.2 oz (175 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.7 x 2.2 x 1.0 in.
(95 x 57 x 26 mm)
3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in.
(100 x 58 x 31 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 10.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 2.08 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   46
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   20.2
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   185
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 0.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (8 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical) Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 37 - 185mm 28 - 105mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.6 - 33mm 6 - 22.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 3.80x
Aperture Range: f/3.2 or f/9.2 (W) / f/5.8 or f/16.6 (T) f/2.0 (W) / f/4.9 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 2 - 50 cm
0.8 - 19.7 in
5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/1600 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Creative Light Effect, Aquarium, Underwater, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap, Digital Macro, Long Shutter, Exposure Zoom, Stitch Assist Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Night Scene, Indoor, Color Accent, Color Swap, Kids & Pets, Underwater, Nostalgic), Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Low Light
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1-11 ft./30cm-3.5m (W), 1-6.6 ft./30cm-2.0m (T) Auto ISO: 1.6-21 ft./50cm-6.5m (W), 1.6-8.2 ft./50cm-2.5m (T)
Max Flash Sync:   1/500
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   CR2
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Multipurpose USB/AV connector, HDMI output  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.98 2.43
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   2.96
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.0 0.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.40 seconds 0.43 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.45 seconds 0.49 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.410 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   1.15 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.078 seconds 0.088 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 2.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 8.0 seconds 6.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 270 shots 220 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary NB-6L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Motion Detection, 720p HD video. Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, Low Light Mode.