Clicky

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9300
Photography Glossary

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9100, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the S9100 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The ELPH 500 HS was revealed 5 months earlier than the S9100 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up versus the S9100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

        

Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Nikon S9100

 ELPH 500 HS S9100 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 S9100 ELPH 500 HS 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9100

 ELPH 500 HS S9100 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon ELPH 500 HS enjoys outside dimensions of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9100 has specifications of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Compare the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the ELPH 500 HS compared to the S9100.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and S9100 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 500 HS and S9100.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos although you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography information
Nikon S9100 Portrait photography information
26
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
32
has manual focus
comes with face detection focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Street photography with Nikon S9100
62
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography advice
Nikon S9100 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (180 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
36
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (270 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Travel photography highlights
Nikon S9100 Travel photography highlights
64
boasts focus by touch
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (180 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
61
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (270 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Landscape photography factors
Nikon S9100 Landscape photography factors
40
pretty wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery (180 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
39
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery (270 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Vlogging information
Nikon S9100 Vlogging information
37
pretty wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9100
 Canon ELPH 500 HSNikon Coolpix S9100
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Nikon Coolpix S9100
Also called as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-07 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type 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 with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 185g (0.41 lbs) 214g (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 270 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $175 $329