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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Nikon 1 J2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 500 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-105mm (F2.0-5.8) lens
  • 185g - 101 x 56 x 25mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 J1
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J3
Photography Glossary

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Nikon 1 J2, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the 1 J2 (10MP) is pretty similar but the ELPH 500 HS (1/2.3") and 1 J2 (1") provide totally different sensor size.

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The ELPH 500 HS was introduced 18 months before the 1 J2 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon ELPH 500 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon 1 J2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ELPH 500 HS grades vs the 1 J2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Nikon 1 J2

 ELPH 500 HS 1 J2 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 1 J2 ELPH 500 HS 
LaunchedAugust 2012February 2011Fresher by 18 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon 1 J2

 ELPH 500 HS 1 J2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS comes with external dimensions of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Nikon 1 J2 has measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Look at the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Nikon 1 J2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS and the 1 J2.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and 1 J2 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specifications. The graphic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 500 HS and 1 J2.

To sum up, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ELPH 500 HS with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Canon ELPH 500 HS will offer more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older ELPH 500 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Portrait photography camera
27
offers face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
48
you can focus manually
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
62
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
69
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (238 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography details
Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography details
26
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (180 shots)
has no phase detect AF
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Travel photography with Nikon 1 J2
64
comes with touch to focus
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery (180 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than competitors in class (238g)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Landscape photography camera
40
quite wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery (180 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
56
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Vlogging with Nikon 1 J2
37
quite wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (238g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic support
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon 1 J2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon 1 J2
 Canon ELPH 500 HSNikon 1 J2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Nikon 1 J2
Also referred to as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-07 2012-08-09
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Expeed 3
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 135
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Nikon 1
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 13
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology PureColor II Touch TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/60 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lbs) 238g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 54
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 363
Other
Battery life 180 images 230 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL20
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $175 $550