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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Previous Model is Nikon S9300
  • Successor is Nikon S9700
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and S9500 (18MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was revealed 5 years prior to the S9500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SD970 IS scores against the S9500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon S9500

 SD970 IS S9500 

Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S9500 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months
Display resolution614k461kSharper display (+153k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S9500

 SD970 IS S9500 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS comes with outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9500 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SD970 IS and the S9500.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and S9500 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specs. The picture below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and S9500.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon S9500 to render more detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S9500 Portrait photography highlights
26
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
31
MP count decent (18MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Nikon S9500
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (205g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon S9500 Sports photography advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
41
incredible zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S9500
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
71
lighter than others in class (205 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (550mm)
fast max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery (230 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon S9500 Landscape photography features
32
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
46
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon S9500 Vlogging factors
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (205g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S9500
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon Coolpix S9500
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon Coolpix S9500
Also called as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 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 area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 99
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-550mm (22.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 -
Macro focus range 2cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 205 grams (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 life - 230 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L EN-EL12
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
Price at launch - $230