• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD970 IS advantages over Nikon A1000

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 40 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    189g vs 330g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon A1000 advantages over Canon SD970 IS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 185 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    5 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon A1000
Canon SD890 IS
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
Nikon A1000
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Canon SD970 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Nikon A1000
Sony DSC-W290
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SX740 HS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $408
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon A1000
Canon SX740 HS
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $408
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compared to Panasonic ZS80

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic ZS80
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon A1000
Panasonic ZS80
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
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