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Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 110 IS
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
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Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SD960 IS versus Nikon AW120, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the SD960 IS (12MP) and AW120 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was manufactured 6 years earlier than the AW120 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SD960 IS grades against the AW120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Nikon AW120

 SD960 IS AW120 

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SD960 IS

 AW120 SD960 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2009More recent by 60 months
Display dimensions3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Nikon AW120

 SD960 IS AW120 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SD960 IS offers physical dimensions of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Nikon AW120 has sizing of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD960 IS versus Nikon AW120 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD960 IS and the AW120.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SD960 IS and AW120 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD960 IS and AW120.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon AW120 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older SD960 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon AW120 Street photography highlights
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD960 IS
Sports photography with Nikon AW120
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery (350 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Travel photography information
Nikon AW120 Travel photography information
58
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
great battery (350 shots)
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon AW120 Landscape photography details
37
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
48
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
great battery (350 shots)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD960 IS
Vlogging with Nikon AW120
31
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
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Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Nikon AW120
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISNikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Nikon Coolpix AW120
Alternate name Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2009-02-18 2014-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 gr (0.32 lb) 213 gr (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 350 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch - $350