Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9700

Following is a thorough analysis of the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon S9700, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and S9700 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX420 IS was announced 24 months after the S9700 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9700 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX420 IS matches up against the S9700 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Nikon Coolpix S9700. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX420 IS Gallery and Nikon S9700 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX420 IS comes with physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Nikon S9700 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon S9700 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX420 IS compared to the S9700.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and S9700 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Quite often, its hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and S9700.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX420 IS to produce more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SX420 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.