Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


88 Imaging
45 Features
58 Overall
50
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Nikon Coolpix A900. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Nikon A900 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2016 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 85 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon A900
SD970 IS | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon A900 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon 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 |