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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S33 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon S33
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3.1" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Announced February 2015
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S33, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the S33 (13MP) is fairly similar but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and S33 (1/3.1") possess totally different sensor size.

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The SD970 IS was introduced 7 years earlier than the S33 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SD970 IS grades vs the S33 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S33

 SD970 IS S33 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S33 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S33 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2009More modern by 72 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S33

 SD970 IS S33 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS provides physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon S33 has sizing of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S33 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SD970 IS against the S33.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and S33 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and S33.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SD970 IS with its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon S33 will offer extra detail using its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S33 Portrait photography highlights
26
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
32
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography details
Nikon S33 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
58
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors (221 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S33 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
42
built in image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (4.7 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S33 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
58
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (221 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon S33 Landscape photography details
32
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse recording
35
built in image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Nikon S33 Vlogging info
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
29
built in image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (221g)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S33
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix S33
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix S33
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2015-02-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3.1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.7 x 3.5mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 16.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 13MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4160 x 3120
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
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) 30-90mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 7.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 4.7 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.10 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AE 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) 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p), 320 x 240 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 221 gr (0.49 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 sec, smile timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price - $150