Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SX510 HS

Let's take a closer look at the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon SX510 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the SX510 HS (12MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ELPH 500 HS was revealed 3 years before the SX510 HS and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up against the SX510 HS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon PowerShot SX510 HS. The full galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery and Canon SX510 HS Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon ELPH 500 HS offers exterior measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Canon SX510 HS has specifications of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs).

See the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon SX510 HS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS against the SX510 HS.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 500 HS and SX510 HS is 94 and 80 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ELPH 500 HS and SX510 HS.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs although you should really factor the production date of the products into consideration. The older ELPH 500 HS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.