Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900
94 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


88 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 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
- Announced February 2011
- Alternate Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
- 289g - 112 x 66 x 40mm
- Released February 2015
- Superseded the Nikon S9700

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 Overview
Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9900, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and S9900 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The ELPH 500 HS was launched 5 years before the S9900 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ELPH 500 HS grades against the S9900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9900. The complete galleries are available at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery and Nikon S9900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Nikon S9900
ELPH 500 HS | S9900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS
S9900 | ELPH 500 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 48 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9900
ELPH 500 HS | S9900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing |
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS has got external 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) and the Nikon S9900 has dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).
Check the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Nikon S9900 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS vs the S9900.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and S9900 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The graphic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 500 HS and S9900.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon S9900 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older ELPH 500 HS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S9900 Specifications
Canon ELPH 500 HS | Nikon Coolpix S9900 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon ELPH 500 HS | Nikon Coolpix S9900 |
Also called as | IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-02-07 | 2015-02-10 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-105mm (4.4x) | 25-750mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.0-5.8 | f/3.7-6.4 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II Touch TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 185g (0.41 lbs) | 289g (0.64 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
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 shots | 300 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $175 | $300 |