Canon continues its run of impressive compact cameras with the PowerShot SD970 IS, a high-end 12.1-megapixel model with a solidly built metal body, high-resolution 3-inch LCD and 5x zoom lens. Both still image and video quality (at 720p high-def resolution) were very good in our lab testing, and learning to use the SD970 IS is a snap.

The automatic exposure and autofocus systems worked well, producing well balanced photos in a wide range of shooting conditions. We were particularly impressed with the close-up mode, which let us produce a screen-filling image of a dime from just a few inches away, with lots of sharp detail. The SD970 IS is strictly aimed at point-and-shooters, though, since it lacks any manual controls.

The camera has a quality feel to it, but it is a bit bulky and, at a full inch deep, isn’t the most pocket-friendly model on the market. Canon chose a particularly handsome 3-inch LCD screen for the SD970 IS, with a 410,000-dot resolution (compared to the 230,000-dot screen found on most cameras) and enough brightness to stand up to sunny outdoor shooting.

The 5x zoom lens is the equivalent of a 37-185mm lens on a 35mm camera. We like the telephoto side of that equation, but we would have preferred a wider angle for landscapes and shooting indoors in close quarters. Rounding out the hardware side of the story, there’s a mini-HDMI port for connecting to a high-def TV, a welcome feature both for viewing videos and showing off your photos on the big screen. Unfortunately, like all manufacturers to date, Canon doesn’t include the required mini-HDMI cable, an unfortunate trend since these can be hard to locate at retail.

Performance (read in-depth performance coverage at DigitalCameraInfo.com)
The Canon SD970 IS received good marks on all of our lab tests except one. Color accuracy and resolution results were impressive, with low image noise (the annoying speckles in solid-color areas) in both bright and low lighting. There was some lens distortion, but image sharpness was consistently high at all focal lengths, and video sharpness was also first rate. The only low mark came in our continuous shooting speed test: one shot per second is pretty slow.

Comparisons (read in-depth comparisons at DigitalCameraInfo.com)
We compared the Canon SD970 IS against three other compact cameras we’ve reviewed recently, the Casio EX-FC100, the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900.

The $350 Casio is a unique camera, with the ability to shoot stills at a blistering pace (up to 30 shots a second) along with amazing slow-motion video. We found the low-resolution slow-mo video good for an occasional giggle but not terribly useful in the long haul. Shooting stills very quickly, though, never gets tired, whether you’re trying to capture the perfect sports moment or a baby’s fleeting expression. The Casio is also slimmer and more compact than the Canon SD970 IS. However, on the image quality essentials, the Canon outperformed the Casio consistently for both stills and video.

The Fujfilm F200EXR, priced at $400, is another camera with a special claim to fame, introducing a new sensor that promises to lower image noise and capture more detail in high-contrast environments. We found the high-contrast claim to be true, though not as dramatically as we’d hoped, and it requires you to shoot at half the camera’s full 12-megapixel resolution. As for image noise, the Canon performed better under demanding low-light conditions. The Fujifilm does offer the manual control that the Canon lacks, but for point-and-shooters a superior LCD and high-def video capability make the Canon SD970 IS a better choice.

Then there’s the sleek and sexy Sony Cyber-shot, just 0.66 inch (16.3mm) deep, with a cool sliding cover and beautiful bronze color. The LCD is also reasonably spectacular, a 3.5-inch 921,000-dot touch-screen. Both the Sony and the Canon shoot 720p video, and sell for $380. The Sony had excellent color accuracy testing results, and image sharpness was also good, though the tiny lens did produce significantly more distortion than the Canon. The Canon offered superior image noise performance, and much better video color accuracy, but each camera has performance strengths and weaknesses. Our big problem with the Sony, though, was the control system. The touch-screen looks great but responds slowly, and nearly any setting you want to change requires touch-screen control. For that reason, we advise getting a hands-on demo of the Cyber-shot before buying.