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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S640, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the S640 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was launched 5 months prior to the S640 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SD970 IS matches up against the S640 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S640

 SD970 IS S640 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S640 SD970 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S640

 SD970 IS S640 
LaunchedFebruary 2009August 2009Same generation
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS has outside 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 S640 has specifications of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S640 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS vs the S640.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and S640 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The picture underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and S640.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you will want to factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon S640 Portrait photography factors
26
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography details
Nikon S640 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography features
Nikon S640 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
34
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Nikon S640 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
62
lighter than competition (130 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S640 as a Landscape photography camera
32
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon S640 Vlogging factors
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S640 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S640
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix S640
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix S640
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2009-08-04
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus distance 2cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 130 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing - $225