• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD970 IS advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    189g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Canon SD970 IS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 185 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD890 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SD890 IS

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Canon SD970 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Sony DSC-W290

Canon SX20 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Sony DSC-W290

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX1 IS

Compare Other Cameras?