Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


95 Imaging
39 Features
26 Overall
33
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Key Specs
(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
- Released February 2009
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 26-156mm (F) lens
- 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
- Launched January 2013

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Overview
The following is a extended assessment of the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S5200, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and S5200 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was revealed 5 years earlier than the S5200 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the SD970 IS grades vs the S5200 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Nikon Coolpix S5200. The full galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Nikon S5200 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S5200
SD970 IS | S5200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Canon SD970 IS
S5200 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 48 months |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S5200
SD970 IS | S5200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Nikon S5200 has dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).
Check out the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S5200 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SD970 IS against the S5200.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and S5200 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and S5200.
As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon S5200 to render more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S5200 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S5200 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-02-18 | 2013-01-29 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 26-156mm (6.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | - |
Macro focus distance | 2cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1920 x 1080 |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160 grams (0.35 pounds) | 146 grams (0.32 pounds) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 160 photos |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | - | $130 |