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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Previous Model is Nikon L830
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L840, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and L840 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD970 IS was introduced 7 years prior to the L840 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SD970 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SD970 IS grades versus the L840 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon L840

 SD970 IS L840 

Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Canon SD970 IS

 L840 SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2015February 2009Newer by 72 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L840

 SD970 IS L840 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS comes with outer 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 L840 has proportions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") with a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L840 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the L840.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and L840 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and L840.

Clearly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon L840 to offer more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L840 Portrait photography highlights
26
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L840 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average (538g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography information
Nikon L840 Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
51
incredible zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L840
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
57
better than average battery power (590 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (23mm)
great reach (855mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (538 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L840
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
43
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L840
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
27
reasonably wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic port
heavier than average (538g)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon L840 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon L840
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix L840
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix L840
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2015-02-10
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 23-855mm (37.2x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 7.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 538g (1.19 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 590 images
Form of battery - AA
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SC/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch - $400