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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 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 S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S6500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and S6500 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was brought out 4 years before the S6500 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the SD970 IS scores versus the S6500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S6500

 SD970 IS S6500 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S6500 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 47 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S6500

 SD970 IS S6500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Nikon S6500 has proportions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S6500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SD970 IS vs the S6500.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and S6500 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by viewing specs. The graphic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and S6500.

All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S6500 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon S6500
26
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
44
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Nikon S6500
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon S6500 Sports photography highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S6500 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S6500 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
50
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Nikon S6500 Vlogging info
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S6500
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix S6500
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix S6500
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-18 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - AMOLED display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
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 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lb) 250 gr (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price - $170