Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


93 Imaging
36 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Key Specs
(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
- Announced February 2009
- Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 183g - 103 x 57 x 27mm
- Revealed June 2010

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Overview
Let's look closer at the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S8000, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the S8000 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was launched 16 months earlier than the S8000 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the S8000 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Nikon Coolpix S8000. The complete galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Nikon S8000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S8000
SD970 IS | S8000 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S8000 over the Canon SD970 IS
S8000 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 16 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S8000
SD970 IS | S8000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS has physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Nikon S8000 has sizing of 103mm x 57mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SD970 IS versus Nikon S8000 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS and the S8000.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and S8000 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and S8000.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Nikon S8000 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S8000 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S8000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S8000 |
Also Known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-02-18 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
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) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 2cm | 2cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160 gr (0.35 lb) | 183 gr (0.40 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 103 x 57 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") |
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 model | NB-5L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (3 sec or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | - | $300 |