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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3600 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon S3600
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 58 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S3600, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and S3600 (20MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 5 years prior to the S3600 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the S3600 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S3600

 SD970 IS S3600 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S3600 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S3600 SD970 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2009More modern by 59 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S3600

 SD970 IS S3600 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS has external 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 S3600 has sizing of 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S3600 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS and the S3600.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and S3600 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and S3600.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon S3600 to provide you with more detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S3600 as a Portrait photography camera
26
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
38
resolution is good (20MP)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Nikon S3600
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Nikon S3600 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S3600 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
70
lighter than others (125 grams)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S3600 Landscape photography highlights
32
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Nikon S3600 Vlogging info
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
33
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than others (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S3600 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S3600
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix S3600
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix S3600
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2014-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 2cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280x720p (30fps) , 1280x720 (25p), 640x480 (30fps )
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
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) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 230 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release - $200