February 20th, 2009 by 
Photo-John
Canon will be introducing the new 12-megapixel PowerShot SD970 IS point-and shoot along with three other new SD-Series pocket digital cameras at PMA this year. I always watch Canon’s PowerShot SD-Series point-and-shoot camera announcements closely because I’m waiting for them to make the ultimate pocket camera. I know they can do it. Their digital point-and-shoots have the best image quality and they’ve got the resources to make a real professional-quality compact - if they want to.
I always watch Canon’s PowerShot SD-Series point-and-shoot camera announcements closely because I’m waiting for them to make the ultimate pocket camera. I know they can do it. Their digital point-and-shoots have the best image quality and they’ve got the resources to make a real professional-quality compact - if they want to. This year’s top-of-the-line Canon point-and-shoot announcement is the 12-megapixel PowerShot SD970 IS. With the last generation, the SD870 IS was basically the same camera as the SD850 IS but with a wider lens, a larger LCD display and no optical viewfinder. That looks to be the case with the new SD970 IS. It has the same resolution as the SD950 IS with a 3-inch LCD, no optical viewfinder, and a 5x image-stabilized zoom lens instead of the 3.7x zoom on the SD950 IS. The Canon SD950 IS is a really wonderful little camera and I bought one for myself when it became available in November 2007 (Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Pro Review). I’ve been really happy with my camera, but I’ve been waiting and hoping for a wide-angle version that doesn’t do away with the optical viewfinder. Although the new SD970 IS isn’t the camera I’ve been waiting for, it does look like Canon has made some thoughtful and real improvements to what was already a very nice camera.
Even if it’s not the camera I’ve been dreaming of, the PowerShot SD970 IS looks like a great little digicam. I am pleased to note that Canon decided not to increase the resolution. Really, who needs more than 10 or 12 megapixels in a point-and-shoot camera? It’s better to leave Canon’s excellent 12-megapixel sensor alone and improve the image processing. To that end, the SD970 IS uses the new DIGIC 4 image processor, which they claim improves image quality as well as speed. If they’ve succeeded on both counts then they’ve already done a great job with the SD970 IS. Other new features are the Smart AUTO shooting mode, which ” selects the proper camera settings based on the specific shooting conditions of each scene;” Genuine Face Detection and Motion Detection; and Active Display, which allows you to scroll through photos by simply giving the camera a little shake. Video in compact cameras is becoming more and more important and the SD970 IS can capture 720p HD videos and share them on your high-def TV with a built-in HDMI video connector.
High-end compact camera announcements are a good excuse for me to get on my dream camera soapbox. So thanks to Canon for providing me with this opportunity. What I really want is a pocket camera with digital SLR image quality and speed. But I’d be really pleased if Canon came out with a pocket-sized camera that uses their current 12-megapixel point-and-shoot sensor and has an optical viewfinder and real wide-angle lens. But you can’t always get what you want, right? With the new DIGIC 4 processor, a wider lens, larger LCD, and Smart AUTO shooting mode the new Canon PowerShot SD970 IS is going to make a lot of people very happy. I look forward to trying it myself and seeing how much Canon has improved the speed and image quality. The SD970 IS may not be the point-and-shoot camera of my dreams. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy each other’s company for a while.
Canon 2009 PowerShot Digital Camera Lineup Press Release >>
I’d love to know what you think about the new Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and point-and-shoot digital cameras in general. If you have something to say, please scroll down to the comments section and share your thoughts on point-and-shoot digital cameras.
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March 19th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Looks like a very nice option.
I am looking for a good camera to get my dad and I think this could be it.
April 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Unfortunately, they’ve crippled this camera by not offering a waterproof case. That kills it for me. They have one for every other model in the current lineup but this one.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I’m unclear on whether this has a wide angle lens. I had an earlier version from cannon with a wide angle and I really miss it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
I have a question. Why do you think the camera should have the optical viewfinder. I cannot think of a reason.
Thank you
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Monica-
I take a lot of action photos. Getting good ski and bike photos requires good panning technique and that’s nearly impossible without an optical viewfinder. An optical viewfinder helps me take smooth, consistent panning photos with my subject placed in the frame and not chopped in half. I admit that my needs are something niche. Not everyone is as interested as I am in action photos. But enough of us are that it is nice to have point-and-shoot cameras that have optical viewfinders. And it’s also important for me to point out the value of the optical viewfinder for people who might not realize how useful it can be.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Thank you for your answer. I surely was one of those who doesn’t realize the value of the viewfinder, although I don’t take many action photos. I will be waiting for your review on the SD970 IS.
May 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
optical viewfinder is a help when the ambient lighting is hot (really bright) - where the LCD cannot be seen easily
May 26th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Will you write a review on the new Canon Ixus 100 IS/ Powershot SD780 too? I’m planning to buy my first digital camera, but I can’t seem to make up my mind. Need some help.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:36 am
do any of the newer SD cameras have an otical viewfinder in addition to the LCD ?
July 5th, 2009 at 6:46 am
“What I really want is a pocket camera with digital SLR image quality and speed”
If that was true there’d be no point in having an slr now would there =p
I doubt point and shoots will ever get to that point seeing as most of the quality from an slr comes from the glass u put infront of it.
And on the viewfinder, i’d personally rather a slightly larger LCD than having a tiny viewfinder which doesnt even give u a full range of view.
just my 2 cents and all
July 6th, 2009 at 11:53 am
On the contrary, Chris. Back when we shot film, the quality of the film was one of the main image quality drivers. You could buy pocket cameras with excellent lenses and if you knew how to use them and used good film, the images would rival those from 35mm SLRs. But now we have compact cameras with sensors the size of your pinky fingernail. They just can’t deliver quality that even comes close to that from a digital SLR sensor. As far as I know, there’s no real reason why Canon (or any other camera company) can’t make a point-and-shoot with digital SLR sensor. That’s why I keep harping on it - this isn’t the first time I’ve written about this. In fact, Sigma has now made their second compact with an APS-C sensor, although most people felt their DP1 was too slow to be practical. And the new Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera is very compelling. But it’s not a true pocket camera. The bottom line is, it can be done. And this camera wouldn’t be an SLR replacement. Without changable lenses and the speed of a DSLR, it would never be more than a pocket-sized compliment. But there’s definitely a place for such a camera and there are photographers willing to pay a lot of money for it if someone makes it.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:15 am
If the LCD screen cracks it is nice to be able to look through optical view finder until you can get LCD repaired.
October 30th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I’m not very skillful with a camera, but I won’t buy another camera without a viewfinder for 2 reasons: In bright light, I cannot see an LCD screen. Also, with the viewfinder, I can hold the camera steady against my face much better than I can when holding it away from my body.