Canon ELPH 100 HS vs. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III: The Compact Camera Showdown

In the crowded world of compact cameras, it can be tricky to decide which model fits your creative needs and budget. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two Canon compacts that, while sharing a family name, serve very different camps: the Canon ELPH 100 HS (also known as IXUS 115 HS) and the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. Having personally tested and photographed with both cameras extensively, I’ll guide you through their core strengths, practical use cases, technical nuances, and real-world performance to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your camera bag.

Before we go hands-on, let’s glance at the physical stature of these models to get our bearings.

First Look: Size, Build, and Handling

The Canon ELPH 100 HS is an ultracompact point-and-shoot designed with travel and pocket portability in mind. At 93x56x20 mm and a featherlight 140g, it’s one of those cameras you can easily forget you're carrying. The fixed 28-112mm equivalent f/2.8–5.9 lens isn’t groundbreaking but is versatile enough for casual snapshots.

In contrast, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a step into the large sensor compact territory. Its dimensions (105x61x41 mm) and weight (304g) make it noticeably chunkier but still very portable. It’s more of a clubs-for-thumbs camera, boasting physical controls and a grip that encourages longer shooting sessions.

From the top, you’ll see the G7 X MIII sports direct dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture which the ELPH sorely lacks. The ELPH 100 HS has a minimalist approach aimed at ease-of-use, while the G7 X Mark III invites you to take manual control.

For those who shoot hands-on, these ergonomics can be a make-or-break factor.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s talk about the most important piece inside - the sensor.

• Canon ELPH 100 HS has a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring around 6.17x4.55 mm with 12MP resolution.
• Canon G7 X Mark III upgrades to a much larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor of 13.2x8.8 mm and boasts 20MP.

This size difference (the G7 X MIII’s sensor area is about four times larger) is massive for image quality. Larger sensors capture more light, resulting in better dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image clarity. In my own testing, the G7 X Mark III consistently delivered cleaner images with more detail, especially in shadows and highlights - key for those who take their photography seriously.

The ELPH 100 HS fares decently in bright outdoor conditions, but once the light dims, noise creeps in quickly, and image detail softens.

Zoom and Lens Performance

Both cameras offer a roughly 4x zoom range, but lens speed and focal breadth differ:

• ELPH 100 HS: 28-112mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.9
• G7 X MIII: 24-100mm equivalent, f/1.8-2.8

The G7 X Mark III’s lens is faster throughout the zoom range, allowing better low-light shots and more subject isolation for that creamy bokeh effect, which is noticeable in portraits.

Speaking of which…

Portrait Photography: Bokeh and Face Detection

Portrait photographers often seek sharp eyes, pleasing skin tones, and subject separation to make faces pop.

• Canon ELPH 100 HS offers face detection autofocus and a respectable 9 autofocus points with contrast detect AF. The bokeh is somewhat limited due to the smaller sensor and slower maximum aperture. Skin tones render warm but with a slight tendency toward oversmoothing due to digicam image processing.

• Canon G7 X MIII has advanced face and eye detection AF, benefiting from a larger sensor and faster lens. In my portrait shots, the G7 X MIII isolates subjects beautifully, creating a natural background blur that adds dimension. It captures skin tones with a more natural palette and retains texture detail better.

If portrait work is critical, the G7 X MIII is a clear winner.

Exploring Landscapes: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape photography tests a camera’s ability to capture a broad tonal range and fine detail.

• The ELPH 100 HS at 12MP provides decent image resolution for prints up to 8x10 inches, but it falls short when you want to crop heavily or make larger prints. The dynamic range is typical of small-sensor compacts - shadows can block up, and highlights can clip quickly.

• The G7 X Mark III’s 20MP sensor shines by delivering files with greater resolution and noticeably better dynamic range. This translates to deeper shadow recovery and highlight control, which I verified shooting RAW (supported only by the G7). For landscape enthusiasts who want to push exposure in post, the G7 X MIII’s sensor size gives it a clear edge.

Weather sealing is absent on both, so keep your rain cover handy, but the G7 X’s build feels slightly more robust.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed, Autofocus, and Burst Rates

A compact camera isn’t traditionally a wildlife or sports machine, but with improvements in autofocus and burst shooting, some compacts can surprise you.

• The ELPH 100 HS has a modest 3 fps burst rate and 9 contrast-detect focus points. Autofocus is decent for static or slow-moving subjects but falters tracking fast wildlife or sports athletics.

• The G7 X MIII features a 30 fps burst mode with continuous AF tracking - though at a cropped lower resolution - but the autofocus remains contrast-based without phase detection, limiting tracking speed. Still, its faster processor and improved algorithms make it significantly better for capturing action shots.

Neither camera replaces a professional DSLR or mirrorless body here, but for casual sports or birdwatching, the G7 X MIII is much more capable.

Street Photography: Discretion and Quick Use

Street photographers often prize small size, quiet operation, and quick responsiveness.

The ELPH 100 HS’s ultra-compact size and low weight make it very pocketable and excellent for blending in. Its fixed LCD (non-touch) isn’t ideal for rapid framing, but it's intuitive.

The G7 X Mark III tilts its touchscreen, supports touch AF, and wakes quickly, yet its bulkier body can draw some attention on the street. The electronic shutter maxing out at 1/25600s lets you shoot discreetly without flash noise in bright daylight.

If stealth and shapelessness are your game, the ELPH 100 HS wins here; for versatility and responsiveness, G7 X MIII is your pick.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Detail

Both cameras offer close-focusing capabilities:

• ELPH 100 HS: Minimum focus distance is 3 cm.
• G7 X MIII: 5 cm minimum focus distance.

Although the ELPH focuses slightly closer, it has a smaller sensor and slower lens, limiting fine detail and shallow depth-of-field effects in macro shots. The G7 X MIII’s image quality at close range is superior, even if it can’t quite get as near. Its stabilization helps when shooting handheld macros, a boon if you dislike tumbling over tripods and focusing rails.

Night and Astro: Handling Low Light

Low-light shooting challenges sensor performance, ISO noise control, and stabilization.

• The ELPH 100 HS maxes out native ISO 3200 and offers optical stabilization, but noise is significant by ISO 800 upwards. Long exposures are limited to 15 seconds maximum – fine for casual night shots but insufficient for serious astro work.

• The G7 X Mark III extends native ISO to 12,800 with a boosted max of 25,600 and supports shutter speeds to 30 seconds. This flexibility, combined with a larger sensor and better stabilization, makes it vastly more capable in low-light settings. It produces relatively clean images at ISO 3200 and above.

Bottom line: For nocturnal shooters or budding astrophotographers, the G7 X Mark III stands head and shoulders above.

Video Performance: Moving Pictures in Focus

Video capabilities often decide between compacts for content creators, vloggers, and enthusiasts.

• ELPH 100 HS shoots 1080p at 24 fps, and various lower resolutions up to 240 fps (at 320x240). It offers basic H.264 compression but no microphone input, no 4K, and lacks image stabilization during video.

• G7 X Mark III offers 4K video at 30p, 1080p up to 120 fps for slow-motion effects, and has built-in optical image stabilization designed for video. Crucially for vloggers, it features a microphone input for improved audio quality. It also supports live streaming via USB, a feature Canon specifically marketed toward the vlogging community.

In practical use, the G7 X MIII delivers sharper, more flexible video with superior audio options, making it the obvious choice for serious video creators.

Travel Photography: Battery Life, Weight, and Versatility

Travelers want a lightweight, reliable camera with decent battery life and lens versatility.

• The Canon ELPH 100 HS impresses with its small footprint and minimal weight but only provides about 230 shots per battery charge, which might not last a full day of heavy shooting.

• The G7 X Mark III, despite being heavier, offers a slightly better battery life of 235 shots per charge. While not stellar, it supports USB charging, a big plus for travelers.

The G7 X Mark III’s superior sensor, faster lens, and manual controls make it a much more adaptable all-rounder for travel photography. The ELPH 100 HS is more of a casual vacation snapper.

Professional Workflows: File Support and Connectivity

For professional photographers, workflow integration is crucial.

The ELPH 100 HS offers JPEG-only output and lacks wireless connectivity, limiting integration and advanced tethered workflows. Its USB 2.0 port suffices for basic file transfer.

The G7 X Mark III supports RAW shooting, enabling greater post-processing latitude, and comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless image transfer and remote control. It also supports UHS-I SD cards for faster data throughput.

Neither camera has environmental sealing, so care is required outdoors, but the G7 X’s digital workflow compatibility is of greater value for professionals on the go.

Price-to-Performance: What’s Your Budget?

Here’s the down-low on cost:

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: Around $194 street price
• Canon G7 X Mark III: Around $749

For a cheapskate or casual shooter, the ELPH offers decent value and superb portability. For those who want a compact camera with serious capabilities - including RAW, 4K video, and better image quality - the G7 X Mark III justifies its premium with a long list of advanced features.

Summing Up: Pros & Cons at a Glance

Canon ELPH 100 HS front Canon ELPH 100 HS screen back Canon G7 X MIII front Canon G7 X MIII screen back

(Above: Notice the sharper details and richer colors from the G7 X Mark III samples, especially in shadows and bokeh.)

Which Camera Is Right for You?

Choose the Canon ELPH 100 HS if…

• You want a simple, lightweight camera just for casual snapshots and family events.
• Portability is your #1 priority - if it needs to fit unseen into your pocket, this wins.
• Your budget is tight and you’re happy with JPEG files and standard 1080p video.
• You favor straightforward, point-and-shoot operation with minimal dials and settings.

Pick the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III if…

• You demand high image quality, a fast lens, and excellent low-light capability.
• You plan to shoot portraits, landscapes, travel, and video seriously - including 4K and slow-mo.
• You want manual controls, RAW shooting, and a touch interface that puts DSLR features in a compact body.
• You’re a content creator looking for microphone input and live streaming functionality.
• Price is less of an issue, and you want a do-it-all compact camera that punches above its weight.

This performance chart sums up the G7 X Mark III’s clear technological advantages over the older ELPH 100 HS.

Whatever your favorite genre - be it street, wildlife, macro, or video - the G7 X MIII consistently scores higher, with the ELPH 100 HS slotting in as an entry-level casual camera.

Final Thoughts: Experience Matters

In my 15+ years of testing cameras, I've found that sensor size, AF sophistication, and video capabilities reliably separate casual compacts from serious compacts. The Canon ELPH 100 HS is a competent, pocket-friendly camera that fits a cheapskate's lifestyle or anyone seeking simple photography. Meanwhile, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III, though pricier, is a powerhouse compact that rivals entry-level mirrorless cameras in quality and versatility, making it a sweet spot for travel pros and creators.

If you want a camera that grows with your skills and pushes your creative boundaries, the G7 X Mark III is well worth the investment. However, if you just want snapshots and can’t stretch your budget, the ELPH 100 HS won’t disappoint.

Happy shooting! Feel free to ask if you want me to dissect any specific uses or sample files from these models.