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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 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 S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S5100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the S5100 (12MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 500 HS was launched 6 months after the S5100 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the ELPH 500 HS scores vs the S5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Nikon S5100

 ELPH 500 HS S5100 
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 S5100 ELPH 500 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S5100

 ELPH 500 HS S5100 
ReleasedFebruary 2011August 2010Same age
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 500 HS features outer measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5100 has proportions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S5100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the ELPH 500 HS compared to the S5100.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 500 HS and S5100 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The picture underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ELPH 500 HS and S5100.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you may want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography info
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography info
26
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography advice
Nikon S5100 Street photography advice
62
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (180 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Travel photography features
Nikon S5100 Travel photography features
64
offers touch to focus
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (180 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
lighter than competition (132 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon S5100
40
really wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery life (180 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Vlogging with Nikon S5100
37
really wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S5100
 Canon ELPH 500 HSNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Nikon Coolpix S5100
Also called IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-02-07 2010-08-17
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus range 3cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech PureColor II Touch TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 185 gr (0.41 lb) 132 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $175 $200