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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Nikon D5000 front
Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Released June 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D60
  • Replacement is Nikon D5100
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the D5000 (12MP) is very close but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and D5000 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The SD970 IS was launched 3 months before the D5000 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SD970 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon D5000 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SD970 IS scores vs the D5000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Nikon D5000

 SD970 IS D5000 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Canon SD970 IS

 D5000 SD970 IS 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Nikon D5000

 SD970 IS D5000 
ReleasedFebruary 2009June 2009Same age
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5000 has sizing of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SD970 IS and the D5000.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and D5000 is 94 and 65 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and D5000.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The SD970 IS includes the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field more challenging.

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Nikon D5000 Portrait photography features
26
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Nikon D5000 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
66
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Nikon D5000
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
42
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (510 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography details
Nikon D5000 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
56
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery power (510 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon D5000 Landscape photography information
32
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
52
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (510 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon D5000 Vlogging factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
52
selfie friendly screen
includes face detection focus
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Nikon D5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Nikon D5000
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISNikon D5000
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Nikon D5000
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-02-18 2009-06-12
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 2cm -
Amount of lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.52x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/200s
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 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 590 grams (1.30 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 868
Other
Battery life - 510 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L EN-EL9a
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost - $630