Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
93 Imaging
38 Features
28 Overall
34
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 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
- Introduced February 2009
- Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
- Announced August 2011
- Newer Model is Nikon AW110
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On this page, we will be comparing the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon AW100, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and AW100 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SD970 IS was launched 3 years earlier than the AW100 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SD970 IS grades against the AW100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Nikon Coolpix AW100. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Nikon AW100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon AW100
| SD970 IS | AW100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Canon SD970 IS
| AW100 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2011 | February 2009 | More recent by 30 months |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW100
| SD970 IS | AW100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | No manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | No Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS has external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon AW100 has proportions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon AW100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS against the AW100.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and AW100 is 94 and 93 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and AW100.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Nikon AW100 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix AW100 |
| Alternate name | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
| Introduced | 2009-02-18 | 2011-08-24 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | - |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.9-4.8 |
| Macro focusing distance | 2cm | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | - |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| 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, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 160 gr (0.35 pounds) | 178 gr (0.39 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") |
| 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 ID | NB-5L | EN-EL12 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | - |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch cost | - | $299 |