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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2010
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 11 months earlier than the L21 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SD970 IS matches up against the L21 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon L21

 SD970 IS L21 
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SD970 IS

 L21 SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2010February 2009Fresher by 11 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L21

 SD970 IS L21 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS provides 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 L21 has measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon L21 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the L21.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and L21 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and L21.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon SD970 IS to produce extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L21
26
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
resolution not great (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography features
Nikon L21 Street photography features
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Nikon L21 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography factors
Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Nikon L21 Vlogging info
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix L21
Alternate name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2010-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
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 speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 169g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" 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 model NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing - $180