• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Canon SD960 IS advantages over Nikon D5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 92 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    162g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D5 advantages over Canon SD960 IS

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.42 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.

  • Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD960 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Nikon D5
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD960 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Nikon D5
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon SD960 IS
Canon SD980 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Nikon D5
Canon SD980 IS
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon SD960 IS
Nikon D4S
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon SD960 IS
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
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