Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21
94 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
![Canon ELPH 500 HS front Canon ELPH 500 HS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-ELPH-500-HS/Canon-ELPH-500-HS-front.jpg)
![Nikon Coolpix L21 front Nikon Coolpix L21 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-Coolpix-L21/Nikon-L21-front.jpg)
93 Imaging
32 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced February 2011
- Alternate Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Introduced February 2010
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The ELPH 500 HS was released 13 months later than the L21 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up vs the L21 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon ELPH 500 HS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Nikon L21
ELPH 500 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | More recent by 13 months |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS
L21 | ELPH 500 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon L21
ELPH 500 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS comes with physical measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon L21 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the ELPH 500 HS vs the L21.
![Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 size comparison Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-ELPH-500-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-L21-size-comparison.jpg)
Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 500 HS and L21 is 94 and 93 respectively.
![Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-ELPH-500-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-L21-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 500 HS and L21.
To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon ELPH 500 HS to provide greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger ELPH 500 HS provides a benefit in sensor technology.
![Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-ELPH-500-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-L21-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-ELPH-500-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-L21-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon ELPH 500 HS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon ELPH 500 HS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Otherwise known as | IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-02-07 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
Anti alias 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 data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-105mm (4.4x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-5.8 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inch | 2.5 inch |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II Touch TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 |
Microphone 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) | 169 grams (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 180 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $175 | $180 |