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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L22 front
Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon L22
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-134mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 183g - 98 x 61 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2010
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the L22 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was brought out 11 months prior to the L22 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SD970 IS matches up against the L22 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon L22

 SD970 IS L22 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L22 over the Canon SD970 IS

 L22 SD970 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2010February 2009Newer by 11 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L22

 SD970 IS L22 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon L22 has measurements of 98mm x 61mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS versus the L22.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and L22 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and L22.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of images however you will want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L22
26
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L22 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon L22 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
17
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Nikon L22 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon L22 Landscape photography information
32
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
27
screen size is good (3 inch)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L22
27
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
22
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L22 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L22
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix L22
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix L22
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 37-134mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus distance 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 183g (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 61 x 28mm (3.9" 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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch - $130