Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
93 Imaging
38 Features
39 Overall
38
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 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
- Introduced February 2009
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
- 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
- Announced February 2011
Photography Glossary Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and S6100 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe SD970 IS was manufactured 24 months before the S6100 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the SD970 IS scores vs the S6100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Nikon Coolpix S6100. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Nikon S6100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S6100
| SD970 IS | S6100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Canon SD970 IS
| S6100 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | February 2011 | February 2009 | Fresher by 24 months | |
| Focus manually | Very exact focusing | |||
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S6100
| SD970 IS | S6100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Nikon S6100 has dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
See the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS and the S6100.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and S6100 is 94 and 93 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out specifications. The visual here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and S6100.
To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Nikon S6100 to produce more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6100 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S6100 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S6100 |
| Also Known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2009-02-18 | 2011-02-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Expeed C2 |
| 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-196mm (7.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.7-5.6 |
| Macro focusing range | 2cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT touchscreen LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | 4.50 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure 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 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 160 grams (0.35 lbs) | 175 grams (0.39 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" 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 | - | 210 images |
| Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | NB-5L | EN-EL12 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | - | $195 |