Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2009
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Revealed February 2009

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was launched about the same time to the L20 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the SD970 IS matches up against the L20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon L20
SD970 IS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SD970 IS
L20 | SD970 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L20
SD970 IS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon L20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS vs the L20.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and L20 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and L20.
As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon SD970 IS to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
Alternate name | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2009-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focusing range | 2cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 160g (0.35 lbs) | 135g (0.30 lbs) |
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 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 | 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 |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | - | $120 |