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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon L20
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon L20

 SD970 IS L20 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer 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 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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).

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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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

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

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L20 Portrait photography highlights
26
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L20
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon L20 Travel photography factors
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
55
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
27
good sized screen (3")
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Nikon L20 Vlogging info
27
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
24
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon 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