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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P7800 front
Portability
82
Imaging
38
Features
73
Overall
52

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 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 P7800
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-4.0) lens
  • 399g - 119 x 78 x 50mm
  • Revealed November 2013
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the P7800 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and P7800 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The SD970 IS was introduced 5 years prior to the P7800 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SD970 IS grades against the P7800 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon P7800

 SD970 IS P7800 

Reasons to pick Nikon P7800 over the Canon SD970 IS

 P7800 SD970 IS 
RevealedNovember 2013February 2009Newer by 58 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon P7800

 SD970 IS P7800 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has exterior 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 P7800 has measurements of 119mm x 78mm x 50mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 2.0") having a weight of 399 grams (0.88 lbs).

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Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS against the P7800.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and P7800 is 94 and 82 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and P7800.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The SD970 IS has the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow DOF trickier. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon P7800 Portrait photography highlights
26
includes face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
46
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P7800 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (399g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon P7800 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery power (350 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P7800 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
68
great battery power (350 per charge)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition in class (399g)
low megapixels (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P7800 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
58
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (350 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon P7800 Vlogging highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
75
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (399 grams)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon P7800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon P7800
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix P7800
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix P7800
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2013-11-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-200mm (7.1x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.0-4.0
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 921 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p); high-speed: 1920 x 1080 (15 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 399g (0.88 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 119 x 78 x 50mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 200
Other
Battery life - 350 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing - $550