Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SP-800 UZ

Following is a thorough review of the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus SP-800 UZ, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the SP-800 UZ (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ELPH 500 HS was announced 13 months after the SP-800 UZ which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the ELPH 500 HS grades versus the SP-800 UZ when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon ELPH 500 HS & Olympus SP-800 UZ. The whole galleries are available at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery & Olympus SP-800 UZ Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 500 HS enjoys exterior measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Olympus SP-800 UZ has proportions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") and a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs).

Check the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus SP-800 UZ in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the ELPH 500 HS compared to the SP-800 UZ.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and SP-800 UZ is 94 and 69 respectively.

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The picture here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 500 HS and SP-800 UZ.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SP-800 UZ to result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger ELPH 500 HS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.