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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L19 front
Portability
94
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon L19
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 130g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and L19 (8MP) and the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and L19 (1/2.5") use different sensor dimensions.

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The SD970 IS was manufactured within a month of the L19 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the SD970 IS grades versus the L19 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon L19

 SD970 IS L19 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L19 over the Canon SD970 IS

 L19 SD970 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L19

 SD970 IS L19 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys external dimensions 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 L19 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS and the L19.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and L19 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The visual below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and L19.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SD970 IS due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Canon SD970 IS will provide you with more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L19
26
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
18
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L19 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
lighter than others in class (130 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L19
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
15
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Nikon L19 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
57
lighter than others in class (130 grams)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low MP (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L19 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
21
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L19 Vlogging highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
25
lighter than others in class (130 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L19 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L19
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix L19
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix L19
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3264 x 2448
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) ()
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 130g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 model NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch - $0