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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P7100 front
Portability
82
Imaging
35
Features
55
Overall
43

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon P7100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 395g - 116 x 77 x 48mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon P7000
  • Later Model is Nikon P7700
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 Overview

Below is a complete assessment of the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the P7100 (10MP) is very similar but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and P7100 (1/1.7") posses different sensor measurements.

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The SD970 IS was revealed 4 years prior to the P7100 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SD970 IS scores vs the P7100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon P7100

 SD970 IS P7100 

Reasons to pick Nikon P7100 over the Canon SD970 IS

 P7100 SD970 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 36 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon P7100

 SD970 IS P7100 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outer dimensions 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 P7100 has specifications of 116mm x 77mm x 48mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 1.9") and a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SD970 IS vs the P7100.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and P7100 is 94 and 82 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and P7100.

All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SD970 IS with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Canon SD970 IS will offer greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon P7100 Portrait photography factors
26
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
45
manual focus
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P7100 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
64
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (395g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon P7100 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery life (350 CIPA)
max fps very slow (1.3 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon P7100 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
56
better than average battery life (350 shots)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
more heavy than competition in class (395g)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography factors
Nikon P7100 Landscape photography factors
32
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
52
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (350 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon P7100 Vlogging highlights
28
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
29
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
has microphone socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition in class (395g)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon P7100
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix P7100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix P7100
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2012-02-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-200mm (7.1x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus range 2cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with anti- reflection coating and 5-level brightness adjustment
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder coverage - 80 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 9.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill flash, Manual, Slow sync, Rear curtain flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 395 grams (0.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 116 x 77 x 48mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 41
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.7
DXO Low light score not tested 165
Other
Battery life - 350 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 second delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost - $750