- 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.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | ||
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: | ||
| Successor: | ||
| General | ||
| Model Number: | SD970 IS | DSLR-A290 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Ultra Compact | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $379.99 | $499.99 |
| Street Price: | $169.95 | |
| Date Available: | 2009-04-15 | 2010-07-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
6.7 oz
(189 g)
includes batteries |
17.9 oz
(508 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
3.7 x
2.2 x
1.0 in. (95 x 57 x 26 mm) |
5.0 x
3.8 x
3.1 in. (128 x 97 x 80 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.1 | 14.2 |
| Sensor Format: | 1/2.3 inch | APS-C |
| Sensor size: | 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 1.54 microns | 5.16 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | n/a | 1.5x |
| 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: | 66 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 22.6 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 11.5 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 615 | |
| 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) |
4592 x 3056
(14.0 MP,
3:2), 4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9), 3408 x 2272 (7.7 MP, 3:2), 3408 x 1920 (6.5 MP, 16:9), 2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other), 2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.2) | JPEG, RAW |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 1.0 | 2.4 |
| 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 | No |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | Yes | n/a |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | |
| 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) | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 37 - 185mm | 27 - 83mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 6.6 - 33mm | 18 - 55mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 5.00x | 3.00x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.2 or f/9.2 (W) / f/5.8 or f/16.6 (T) | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (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 | 55.0mm |
| 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 (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | LCD | Optical / LCD (playback only) |
| Viewfinder Type: | SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter | |
| Focus Peaking: | No | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | n/a |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.55x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.83x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | No | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 461,000 dots | 230,400 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | No | No |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | No |
| Selfie Screen: | No | No |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 10.0x | 14.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 3200 | |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | |
| ISO Settings: | Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/1600 - 15 sec | 1/4000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | No | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 2.0EV 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 | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2 or 10 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, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off |
| 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) | Lens dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | n/a | Hot shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | SD / SDHC | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | No | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW | |
| 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 wireless | |
| Connections (extended): | Multipurpose USB/AV connector, HDMI output | DC input, min-HDMI |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 1.98 | 0.50 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.46 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 5 | |
| 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 | 2.4 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | Unlimited | 18 |
| 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 | 0.20 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): | 0.182 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.22 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.078 seconds | 0.107 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full AF lag, Auto Area = 0.200s | |
| Startup Time: | 1.9 seconds | 0.5 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.4 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): | 500 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NB-5L | Proprietary NP-FH50 |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 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 | Software/USB Driver CD-ROM |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows, Mac OS | Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X (v. 10.4+) |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Optical Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Motion Detection, 720p HD video. | |
