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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon AW100
(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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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Overview

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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon AW100

 SD970 IS AW100 
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Canon SD970 IS

 AW100 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedAugust 2011February 2009More recent by 30 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW100

 SD970 IS AW100 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon AW100 Portrait photography details
26
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
29
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon AW100 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Nikon AW100
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
33
MP count decent (16MP)
environment proofing
slow fps (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon AW100 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
67
environment proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon AW100
32
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Nikon AW100
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
29
really wide (28mm)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW100
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon 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