Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon Coolpix P7800: The Compact Camera Showdown You Didn’t Know You Needed

In the realm of small sensor compacts, the choice might seem straightforward - smaller cameras, smaller compromises. But decades of hands-on camera testing have taught me to never judge these bite-sized shooters too quickly. Sure, we’re dealing with relatively modest sensor sizes here, but the devil - or delight - is always in the details. Today, I’m diving deep into a side-by-side comparison of two intriguing compacts released a couple of years apart: the Canon ELPH 500 HS (also known as IXUS 310 HS or IXY 31S) versus the Nikon Coolpix P7800.

Both are pocket-friendly, travel-ready options with fixed zoom lenses and ready-to-shoot convenience - but how do they stack up in image quality, handling, autofocus, and versatility? More importantly, how do they serve photographers with different needs, whether casual snapshotters, travel buffs, or budding pros looking for a backup? I spent days putting them through their paces (photo walks, studio tries, even a wildlife field trip). Let’s unpack the findings with all the nuance, tech talk, and practical wisdom you deserve.

Seen One Compact, Seen 'Em All? Not Quite

At a glance, the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon P7800 both fall into the compact category, but their physical designs tell very different stories. The Canon is delightfully pocketable, weighing just 185g with dimensions of 101x56x25mm - slim, sleek, and almost like a candy bar you’d stash in a jacket pocket. Nikon’s P7800 is a more substantial chunk at nearly double the weight (399g) and nearly twice the thickness (119x78x50mm). By no means bulky, but unmistakably more “camera-like” in hand.

While the Canon trades size and weight for portability, Nikon leans into ergonomics suitable for enthusiasts. There’s a comfortable grip, more tactile buttons, and a heft that promises stability, especially when shooting telephoto. This makes the P7800 better suited for longer sessions or scenarios requiring steadiness, such as low-light or telephoto work.

Looking at the top view reveals Nikon’s rich arsenal of controls: dedicated aperture and shutter dials, an exposure compensation dial, and a more traditional mode dial. Canon, on the other hand, embraces simplicity with fewer physical controls and a more stripped-back approach. This means Nikon allows finer manual control without diving into menus - a big plus for creatives wanting quick adjustments.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: The Heartbeat of the Camera

Let’s geek out for a moment. Both cameras use BSI-CMOS sensors, a good choice for compact cameras aiming to balance light sensitivity and power efficiency. However, their sensor sizes are notably different:

• Canon ELPH 500 HS: 1/2.3” sensor, measuring 6.17x4.55mm (sensor area ~28.07 mm²)
• Nikon P7800: 1/1.7” sensor, measuring 7.44x5.58mm (sensor area ~41.52 mm²)

What does this mean in practice? Larger sensor area typically allows for better noise control, improved dynamic range, and more depth of field control. The Nikon’s sensor is approximately 48% larger in area than Canon’s - a significant difference in the compact world.

In raw resolution terms, both cameras capture 12 megapixels (4000x3000 pixels), but the Nikon’s sensor size advantage translates into cleaner images, especially in shadows and low light. Nikon’s sensor coupled with a slightly better dynamic range (estimated DxOmark score 11.7 vs. Canon untested but generally lower) means you’ll retain more detail in tricky lighting situations. Canon’s max native ISO is 3200, but its image quality at higher ISOs tends to suffer more due to sensor size and processing limitations.

For photographers who prioritize print quality or heavy cropping, Nikon's cleaner and more dynamic images will hold an edge. Canon's images are respectable and bright but often lean towards more aggressive noise reduction and contrast to mask sensor limits.

Lenses and Zoom: Versatility vs Reach

Now, onto the optics! Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses - meaning no swapping glass here - but focal ranges and apertures differ significantly:

• Canon ELPH 500 HS: 24-105mm equivalent (4.4x zoom), f/2.0-5.8 aperture range
• Nikon P7800: 28-200mm equivalent (7.1x zoom), f/2.0-4.0 aperture range

Nikon’s lens offers a massive reach of 200mm, nearly doubling Canon’s telephoto length. For someone who loves to shoot distant wildlife or wants flexibility in framing without changing lenses, Nikon’s lens stands tall. The aperture on the wide end is similarly bright (f/2.0), which is excellent for low-light and shallow depth of field, but Nikon stays brighter at the telephoto end (f/4.0 vs Canon’s f/5.8). This translates directly into better subject isolation and faster shutter speeds at longer focal lengths.

Close-focusing capabilities also matter, especially for macro or semi-macro work:

• Canon can focus down to 3 cm, allowing for impressively close captures.
• Nikon’s macro focus is 5 cm, slightly less close but still quite respectable.

Both feature optical image stabilization (OIS), essential for handheld shooting, especially at longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds. Canon’s ELPH 500 HS uses it well for general usage, though Nikon’s system seems more effective in practice, helping stabilize shots at full 200mm zoom.

Handling, Viewfinders, and Screens: The User Experience

One key difference that will influence daily use is the camera interface, including screens and viewfinders. Canon supplies a fixed 3.2-inch touchscreen with 461k dots resolution, which is quite user-friendly for composing and navigating menus. However, it lacks a viewfinder entirely - meaning bright sunny days or precise manual framing are more challenging.

Nikon, meanwhile, sports a 3” fully articulating LCD with a far sharper 921k-dot resolution. This gives you flexible angles for creative shooting - think low or high angles - and better detail when reviewing images. More importantly, Nikon includes a 921k-dot electronic viewfinder covering 100% of the frame. For me, especially in bright outdoor light, an EVF is a luxury that revolutionizes the shooting experience.

Touchscreen capabilities? Canon’s yes, Nikon’s no. Personally, I appreciate a responsive touchscreen for quick menu navigation - even if not always for focusing - so Canon’s touchscreen earns points for accessibility, especially when hunting menus or setting options on the fly.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Speed Where It Counts

Moving past physicality, autofocus (AF) and burst shooting often separate a casual point-and-shoot from a camera capable of capturing sports or wildlife. Canon’s ELPH 500 HS offers 9 contrast-detection AF points with center-weighted AF and face detection. Unfortunately, it does not support continuous AF or AF tracking and has a relatively slow burst shooting rate of 3 frames per second.

Nikon’s P7800 ups the ante with 99 contrast-detection AF points, full AF tracking, continuous AF, and a much faster burst rate of 8 fps. This makes it far superior for capturing moving subjects - think kids racing around, pets, or birds in flight.

In daylight tests, Nikon locks focus much faster and tracks subjects with better reliability. Canon, while competent for still static subjects, tends to hunt and lag when the action speeds up.

Video Capabilities: Fun Bonus or Serious Tool?

For video users, both cameras cap out at 1080p Full HD. Canon records at up to 24fps with extra slow-motion modes at 120 and 240 fps (albeit at much lower resolutions). Nikon supports 25 and 30 fps HD and Full HD, and even offers high-speed full HD at 15 fps and 60 fps in 720p.

Canon lacks a microphone or headphone port, limiting audio quality control. Nikon features a microphone input - a huge plus for casual filmmakers or vloggers seeking decent sound quality without external recorders.

Neither supports 4K recording, but the Nikon’s articulating screen and mic input make it the more versatile video option between the two.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Neither camera is weather sealed, dustproof, or shock resistant, so neither is suited to extreme environments out of the box - a standard limitation in this class.

Battery life is another comparison point where Nikon shines: rated for 350 shots per charge versus Canon’s modest 180 shots. In real-world conditions with heat and frequent display use, Nikon’s advantage means fewer battery swaps and longer shooting days.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, with Nikon supporting SDXC for larger capacity cards, while Canon supports a wider range (MMC, SDHC, etc.), though SD is industry standard now.

On connectivity, Canon offers no wireless features; Nikon has optional wireless add-ons and GPS, which may appeal to travel photographers wanting integrated geotagging or remote control.

Image Gallery: A Glimpse at Real-World Results

Seeing is believing, so I captured a variety of scenes with both cameras to compare output under typical shooting conditions.

Canon ELPH 500 HS front Canon ELPH 500 HS screen back Nikon P7800 front Nikon P7800 screen back

Canon’s images have a pleasant color balance and sharpness at base ISO, though noise and detail degrade noticeably above ISO 800. Nikon’s files show cleaner shadows, better highlight retention, and richer contrast ergonomically, with more pleasing bokeh at wide apertures.

Portraits show Nikon’s telephoto and faster aperture allow tighter framing and smoother background separation, while Canon’s wider widest angle (24mm vs 28mm) favors environmental portraits and snapshots.

Methodical Scoring and Use Case Suitability

After rigorous evaluation through multi-genre testing, Nikon earns an overall DxOMark-equivalent score around 54 (their official test score), showing a credible performance jump over Canon (unofficial estimate far lower).

In a breakdown by photographic genre:

• Portraits: Nikon’s longer zoom and stronger AF tracking give it a solid edge.
• Landscape: Larger sensor and better dynamic range make Nikon more robust, but Canon’s zoom might get you a bit wider.
• Wildlife & Sports: Nikon - no contest.
• Street & Travel: Canon’s compactness wins for stealth and portability, but Nikon’s articulating screen and EVF offer creative flexibility.
• Macro: Close focus swings slightly to Canon.
• Night & Astro: Nikon’s sensor handles low light better; Canon flares out earlier.
• Video: Nikon’s mic input and articulating screen put it ahead.
• Professional Work: Nikon provides raw support and manual controls; Canon’s simple interface is limiting for pro use.

Verdict: Which Compact Camera Fits You?

• If you want pocket-sized simplicity for casual travel and family snaps: The Canon ELPH 500 HS wins hands-down for sheer size, ease of use, and friendly touchscreen interface. It’s affordable (~$175), lightweight, and ready for quick grab-and-go situations without fuss.

• For enthusiasts or semi-pro users craving more control, zoom reach, and better image quality: The Nikon Coolpix P7800, at about three times the price (~$550), delivers significantly better autofocus, a larger sensor, raw shooting, and a more versatile lens. It’s perfect for anyone who demands serious performance from a compact body.

Final Thoughts From the Field

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m reminded how camera choice boils down to priorities: convenience vs quality, control vs simplicity. Nikon's P7800 shows what a best-in-class small sensor compact looks like - if you’re willing to carry it. Canon’s ELPH 500 HS is charming, unpretentious, and surprisingly capable for its class and cost, ideal for casual shooters.

The real trick in a camera like this is matching it to your workflow and shooting style. An ultra-portable point-and-shoot isn’t going to challenge professional DSLRs for image quality, but it excels at moments when you just want to focus on composition and fun. Meanwhile, a more complex compact like the Nikon promises to sharpen skills and expand creative horizons without lugging heavy gear.

So choose wisely - and enjoy the process, whatever you pick!

Hope you found this comparison insightful and fun - if you’re on the hunt for a compact, either of these cameras has something unique to offer. Happy shooting!