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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Casio EX-FC100 Comparison
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12.Fujifilm F200EXR Comparison
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13.Sony DSC-T900 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Previous: Page 13
Sony DSC-T900 ComparisonNext: Page 15
Photo GalleryConclusion
The Canon PowerShot SD970 isn’t a standout camera, but it’s a solid effort from a reliable manufacturer. With the exception of burst-mode shooting, which is pretty pokey at 1 shot per second, there wasn’t an area where the Canon received low marks in our lab testing, Still and video quality (at a high-def 720p resolution) were both very good, with only minimal flaws that won’t be distracting when viewed at at any typical size. The camera is mostly easy to handle, though we did have trouble keeping our fingers out of the way of the top-mounted microphone when shooting videos. The combination of a fast-scrolling control dial and a traditional four-way controller offers a winning combination of speedy navigation when you want it and precision.movement when you need it.
Our disappointments were few, but worth considering. We applaud the solid metal construction, but it does result in a slightly hefty camera. More problematic, the SD970 is over an inch deep, making it less pocket-friendly than other, similarly equipped cameras. We welcome the telephoto range (equivalent to about 185mm on a 35mm camera) on a camera this size, but wished for more wide-angle coverage than the 37mm-equivalent lens provides. At f/3.2, it’s on the slow side as well, limiting available light options. And while the intended audience is clearly the point-and-shoot crowd, with a $380 pricetag, manual exposure, aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes would have been appropriate.
Shop for the Canon SD970 IS
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