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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix A900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
45
Features
58
Overall
50

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon A900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 289g - 113 x 67 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Later Model is Nikon A1000
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and A900 (20MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 8 years prior to the A900 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the A900 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon A900

 SD970 IS A900 

Reasons to pick Nikon A900 over the Canon SD970 IS

 A900 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016February 2009Newer by 85 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon A900

 SD970 IS A900 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS provides external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon A900 has measurements of 113mm x 67mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SD970 IS vs the A900.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and A900 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and A900.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Nikon A900 to deliver extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon A900 Portrait photography details
26
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
40
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography details
Nikon A900 Street photography details
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (289g)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon A900 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
55
great zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon A900 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
74
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
connects via bluetooth
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon A900 Landscape photography information
32
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
49
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon A900 as a Vlogging camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon A900
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix A900
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix A900
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2016-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.4-6.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 289 gr (0.64 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 113 x 67 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 300 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost - $400