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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW130 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon AW130
(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
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon AW120
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW130, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and AW130 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was announced 7 years before the AW130 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SD970 IS scores versus the AW130 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon AW130

 SD970 IS AW130 

Reasons to pick Nikon AW130 over the Canon SD970 IS

 AW130 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2009More recent by 72 months
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW130

 SD970 IS AW130 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has got physical measurements 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 AW130 has measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW130 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS versus the AW130.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and AW130 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to see the gap in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The visual below might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and AW130.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon AW130 to provide greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon AW130 Portrait photography information
26
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
36
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Nikon AW130
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon AW130 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
51
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (370 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Nikon AW130
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
73
good battery life (370 shots)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon AW130 Landscape photography highlights
32
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
50
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
good battery life (370 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Nikon AW130 Vlogging information
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon AW130 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon AW130
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix AW130
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix AW130
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2009-02-18 2015-02-10
Physical type 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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i ,50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 221g (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 370 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing - $398