Canon SD970 IS vs Sony A850 Specifications

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

Go in depth with our full Canon SD970 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD970 IS.

35mm 861.6mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony A850 Review.

Detailed specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:
Successor:
General
Model Number:	SD970 IS	A850
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	Ultra Compact	Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$379.99	$1999.95
Street Price:	$169.95	$2,219.00
Date Available:	2009-04-15	2009-10-08
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	6.7 oz (189 g) includes batteries	30.0 oz (850 g)
Size:	3.7 x 2.2 x 1.0 in. (95 x 57 x 26 mm)	6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in. (156 x 117 x 82 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CCD	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:		Sony
Effective Megapixels:	12.1	24.6
Sensor Format:	1/2.3 inch	35mm
Sensor size:	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)	861.6mm² (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	1.54 microns	5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	n/a	1.0x
Aspect Ratio:	4:3, 16:9	3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:		Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:		79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):		23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):		12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):		1,415
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)	6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2), 6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other), 4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2), 4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9), 3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2), 3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2), 2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2), 3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other), 1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.2)	JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Continuous-mode frames/second:	1.0	3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	No
Movie Resolution:	1280x720 (30) 640x480 (30) 320x240 (30)
Movie File Format:	MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out:	Yes	Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:		No
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	n/a	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	Canon Zoom Lens (8 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical)	n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	37 - 185mm
Focal Length (actual):	6.6 - 33mm
Zoom Ratio:	5.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.2 or f/9.2 (W) / f/5.8 or f/16.6 (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	50 cm to Infinity 19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:	2 - 50 cm 0.8 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread:	n/a	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom Values:	Up to 4x	n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection	9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8.
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	No	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	LCD	Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type:		SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):		0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):		0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	No	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	461,000 dots	921,600 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	10.0x	19.0x
Top Deck Display:		Yes

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):		3200
Minimum ISO (native):		200
ISO Settings:	Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode)	Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/1600 - 15 sec	1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	No	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE	40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
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
Self Timer:	2 or 10 seconds	2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	No
Flash Modes:	Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro	n/a
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)	n/a
Max Flash Sync:		1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:		+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	n/a	Hot shoe, PC-sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC	CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	Yes
RAW Capture Support:	No	Yes
Uncompressed Format:		RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Movie File Format:	MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	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:		Yes
Remote Control Type:		Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended):	Multipurpose USB/AV connector, HDMI output	DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	1.98	0.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):		0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):		23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?		Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	1.0	3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	Unlimited	23
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	0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):	0.45 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):		0.154 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.078 seconds	0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):
Startup Time:	1.9 seconds	0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:		0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	8.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	270 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):		880 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary NB-5L	Proprietary
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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	Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS	Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	Optical Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Motion Detection, 720p HD video.	Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.