Canon ELPH 100 HS vs. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS: A Detailed Comparison for the Modern Ultracompact Photographer

If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly, stylish, and capable compact camera, Canon’s ELPH series has long been a popular choice. Today, we’ll dive into an in-depth comparison between two notable entries in this line: the Canon ELPH 100 HS (also known as IXUS 115 HS), released in 2011, and the more recent Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS, announced in 2016. While both cameras share the ultracompact DNA, they differ significantly in features, imaging technology, and target users. We’ve put these cameras through a thorough examination - not just specs on paper, but how they perform in real-world settings across various photography genres.

By the end of this article, you’ll understand which of these Canon ultracompacts suits your style, budget, and creative aspirations best.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Physical Design

When choosing a compact camera, ergonomics and portability are key. Let’s start with the physical differences.

The ELPH 100 HS is more compact and lighter by a noticeable margin, making it extremely pocketable and discreet. The ELPH 360 HS is a bit bigger, which provides slightly better grip and control, but it still fits comfortably in most jacket pockets and small bags.

Looking from above, you can see in the next image how their top-controls compare:

The ELPH 360 HS offers more accessible buttons and a small mode dial that appeals to users wanting quick exposure or scene mode changes. The ELPH 100 HS keeps things minimalistic, perfect if you prefer automatic shooting without many distractions.

Bottom line: For ultimate portability, the ELPH 100 HS has the edge. But if you want a bit more tangible control without sacrificing compactness, the ELPH 360 HS fits better.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Image quality can make or break your satisfaction with a compact camera, so it’s crucial to understand their sensors and processing.

Both cameras use the same physical sensor size, which limits the light gathering capability in low light and overall dynamic range. However, the ELPH 360 HS boasts a higher 20MP resolution, compared to 12MP on the ELPH 100 HS. This jump means more image detail and cropping flexibility but can introduce slightly more noise at high ISO levels if the sensor and processor do not keep up.

Canon’s DIGIC 4+ processor in the ELPH 360 HS further enhances noise reduction and color reproduction compared to the DIGIC 4 with iSAPS in the ELPH 100 HS. In practical terms, you’ll notice:

• Sharper images with better edge detail on the 360 HS
• Improved low light performance on the 360 HS, though both struggle beyond ISO 800-1600
• Slightly warmer and more saturated colors on the older 100 HS, which some users may find appealing for portraits

Neither camera supports RAW - both shoot only in JPEG format, restricting post-processing latitude. For most casual users, high-quality JPEGs suffice, but enthusiasts will find this limiting.

Our takeaway: If your priority is more megapixels and sharper detail, the ELPH 360 HS leads. But the ELPH 100 HS still holds up for general everyday photos with a classic Canon color signature.

Viewing and Interface: How You Frame the Moment

In absence of electronic viewfinders, the LCD screen quality is vital.

The ELPH 360 HS doubles the LCD resolution, delivering a far crisper and clearer display. This makes a difference when reviewing images or composing shots under bright daylight conditions.

Neither camera has a touchscreen or articulating display, which is understandable given their ultracompact design and budget orientation.

Although lacking an electronic viewfinder, the bright, high-res screen on the ELPH 360 HS significantly improves framing accuracy and user experience. Meanwhile, the 100 HS’ lower-res screen is satisfactory for casual snapshots.

Lens and Zoom Range: Flexibility vs. Brightness

Both cameras come with fixed (non-interchangeable) lenses, but their zoom capabilities vary greatly.

The ELPH 100 HS has a brighter lens at the wide end (f/2.8), which benefits low-light scenes and shallow depth of field, particularly useful for portraits and close-ups. Its modest 4x zoom range limits reach but enhances image quality and sharpness within that range.

Conversely, the ELPH 360 HS offers an impressive 12x zoom reaching 300mm equivalent - giving you incredible telephoto reach for wildlife, sports, and candid street photography. However, the lens is noticeably slower (f/3.6 at wide to f/7.0 at telephoto), which reduces low-light usability and makes it harder to isolate subjects with background blur.

Though both cameras have optical image stabilization (OIS), the 360 HS’s system is crucial in taming longer telephoto shake, increasing sharp shot rates significantly.

Macro capabilities: The ELPH 360 HS can focus as close as 1 cm, which is remarkably close for an ultracompact. This makes it a more versatile everyday shooter for small objects and creative macro shots.

Autofocus Performance and Speed

Autofocus accuracy and speed are essential for capturing fleeting moments, especially in street, wildlife, and sports photography.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus. The ELPH 100 HS supports 9 AF points and continuous autofocus, providing reliable focusing in most scenarios despite the older processor.

The ELPH 360 HS adds manual focus, which is uncommon in compact cameras and appreciated for tricky situations like macro or low-light photography. Though it lacks formal AF tracking, the newer DIGIC 4+ processor boosts AF speed noticeably, especially when shooting video or moving subjects at moderate speeds.

Neither camera has phase-detection AF nor advanced animal eye detection, so wildlife and action shooters may find limitations here.

Burst Rate and Shutter Speeds

• ELPH 100 HS: 3 frames per second burst mode ensures you can capture moments in a short action sequence, supported by a shutter speed range of 15s to 1/2000s.
• ELPH 360 HS: Slightly slower continuous shooting at 2.5 fps, with the same shutter speed range, but benefits from more responsive operation due to the newer processor.

The burst modes here are modest and adequate for casual sports or rapid movements but not ideal for professional sports photography requiring 10+ fps.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer Full HD video recording, but with some distinctions:

The ELPH 360 HS offers a smoother Full HD video frame rate of 30 fps and supports two video compression standards. This results in slightly better video quality and compatibility with editing software. However, neither camera has microphone inputs or advanced video features like 4K or slow motion, limiting them to casual video capture.

Battery Life and Storage

In everyday use, the ELPH 100 HS offers better battery endurance, letting you shoot a full day without recharge. The ELPH 360 HS, likely due to more powerful electronics and bigger zoom lens demands, falls short here.

Both cameras accept standard SD cards, so finding compatible storage is straightforward.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is a growing priority for those who share images on the go.

• The ELPH 100 HS has no wireless connectivity, relying solely on USB 2.0 or HDMI cables for image transfer.
• The ELPH 360 HS includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support, enabling instant connection to smartphones and tablets for easy sharing and remote control.

Wi-Fi/NFC is a real bonus if you regularly upload photos to social media or use smartphone remote capture apps.

Neither camera features GPS, headphone/mic jacks, or touchscreens - limitations expected in this category.

Performance Scoring and Genre Suitability

Based on extensive field testing parameters including image quality, handling, AF speed, burst shooting, and features, here’s a summarized scorecard:

Additionally, genre-specific performance highlights:

• Portraits: ELPH 100 HS edges out slightly with a brighter lens helping smoother skin tones and mild background blur.
• Landscape: ELPH 360 HS benefits from higher resolution and longer zoom for composition flexibility.
• Wildlife: 360 HS zoom and stabilized lens dominate for reach; AF lacks speed for fast birds in flight.
• Sports: Neither excels; 100 HS’s faster burst is minor advantage.
• Street: 100 HS more discreet and smaller, great for candid shooting.
• Macro: 360 HS closer focus distance and manual focus offer better control.
• Night/Astro: Both limited by small sensor, but 100 HS’s brighter lens and simpler workflow may help.
• Video: 360 HS better FPS, codec options, and Wi-Fi sharing.
• Travel: Portability favors 100 HS; versatility favors 360 HS zoom and connectivity.
• Professional: Neither fits high-end professional demands but both excel in casual, go-anywhere scenarios.

Real-World Sample Images

Here is a gallery featuring images captured with both cameras under various lighting and subject conditions:

Canon ELPH 100 HS front Canon ELPH 100 HS screen back Canon ELPH 360 HS front Canon ELPH 360 HS screen back

You’ll notice sharper detail and higher resolution on the 360 HS images, but the 100 HS produces pleasing color rendition especially in portrait scenarios.

Which Camera Should You Choose?

Here’s a straightforward guide to help you pick based on your needs:

Final Thoughts: Experience, Expertise, and Value

After more than a decade of testing cameras across genres, I find that both these Canon ELPH models serve as excellent entry points to photography with distinct identities.

• The Canon ELPH 100 HS is a compact, user-friendly companion for simple everyday photography prioritizing ease, portability, and consistent image quality with a pleasantly bright lens. It’s ideal for beginners or as a secondary carry-everywhere camera.

• The Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS takes a bigger stride toward versatility. Its 12x zoom, higher resolution sensor, better LCD, built-in Wi-Fi, and manual focus make it a compelling choice for hobbyists who want more creative freedom and sharing convenience without stepping into larger camera systems.

If you want to carry a camera that fits in your pocket with excellent image quality and intend to shoot mostly people and daily moments, the ELPH 100 HS delivers excellent value. But if you crave reach, resolution, and connectivity - especially for travel, nature, and macro subjects - the ELPH 360 HS justifies the extra investment.

We recommend checking out both in-store if possible, trying their controls and handling firsthand to see which fits your workflow better.

Appendix: Quick Feature Comparison Table

We hope this thorough review demystifies the differences between the Canon ELPH 100 HS and ELPH 360 HS, giving you an expert perspective to confidently choose your next compact camera. Remember, the best camera is the one that fits how you want to create.

Happy shooting!

Footnotes

• Sensor performance and image quality assessed via hands-on testing and image comparisons in identical lighting.
• Autofocus speed and accuracy tested with moving subjects and contrast challenges.
• Battery endurance as per manufacturer and real-life sessions.
• Video functionalities confirmed with sample recordings.
• Connectivity tested with supported mobile apps and device pairing.

Please feel free to leave your questions or share your experiences with either model - we’re here to support your creative journey!