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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon AW110
  • Updated by Nikon AW130
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW120, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and AW120 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 6 years earlier than the AW120 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the AW120 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon AW120

 SD970 IS AW120 

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SD970 IS

 AW120 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014February 2009More recent by 60 months
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW120

 SD970 IS AW120 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS has got external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon AW120 has dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW120 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS against the AW120.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and AW120 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The visual here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and AW120.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Nikon AW120 to offer you extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
great battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Nikon AW120 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
great battery power (350 shots)
environment proof
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
32
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
48
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proof
great battery power (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Nikon AW120 Vlogging info
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW120
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix AW120
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2009-02-18 2014-02-07
Body design 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus range 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 213g (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 350 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch - $350