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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon S5200
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S5200

 SD970 IS S5200 
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S5200 SD970 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S5200

 SD970 IS S5200 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S5200 Portrait photography highlights
26
provides face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography information
Nikon S5200 Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
48
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon S5200 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (160 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Nikon S5200 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (160 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S5200 Landscape photography highlights
32
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
41
really wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery pack (160 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Nikon S5200 Vlogging information
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
32
really wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S5200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S5200
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon 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