Clicky

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 500 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-105mm (F2.0-5.8) lens
  • 185g - 101 x 56 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Other Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched February 2009
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The ELPH 500 HS was unveiled 2 years after the L20 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the ELPH 500 HS scores against the L20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

        

Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Nikon L20

 ELPH 500 HS L20 
LaunchedFebruary 2011February 2009Newer by 25 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 L20 ELPH 500 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon L20

 ELPH 500 HS L20 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 500 HS provides exterior measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS and the L20.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and L20 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 500 HS and L20.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon ELPH 500 HS to provide extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern ELPH 500 HS should have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography features
Nikon L20 Portrait photography features
26
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
lighter than average (135 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Sports photography with Nikon L20
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (180 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Travel photography factors
Nikon L20 Travel photography factors
64
includes focus by touch
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (180 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
lighter than average (135g)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Landscape photography info
Nikon L20 Landscape photography info
40
really wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (180 shots)
no Timelapse recording
26
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L20 Vlogging highlights
37
really wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
24
lighter than average (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
Photography Glossary

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon L20
 Canon ELPH 500 HSNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Nikon Coolpix L20
Otherwise known as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-02-07 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology PureColor II Touch TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lb) 135g (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 180 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $175 $120