Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
92 Imaging
41 Features
37 Overall
39
Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 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
- Launched February 2009
- Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(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").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Nikon Coolpix S9500. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Nikon S9500 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2013 | February 2009 | Newer by 48 months | |
| Display resolution | 614k | 461k | Sharper display (+153k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon S9500
| SD970 IS | S9500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | No manual focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon S9500 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon 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 |