Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS
94 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
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89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2011
- Also Known as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Announced January 2013

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus SZ-16 iHS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and SZ-16 iHS (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The ELPH 500 HS was brought out 23 months prior to the SZ-16 iHS which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ELPH 500 HS scores vs the SZ-16 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon ELPH 500 HS & Olympus SZ-16 iHS. The entire galleries are provided at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery & Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
ELPH 500 HS | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Canon ELPH 500 HS
SZ-16 iHS | ELPH 500 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 23 months |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
ELPH 500 HS | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS offers exterior measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Compare the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus SZ-16 iHS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the ELPH 500 HS versus the SZ-16 iHS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 500 HS and SZ-16 iHS is 94 and 89 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specifications. The picture here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 500 HS and SZ-16 iHS.
To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to produce more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged ELPH 500 HS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications
Canon ELPH 500 HS | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon ELPH 500 HS | Olympus SZ-16 iHS |
Also called as | IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2011-02-07 | 2013-01-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
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 | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-105mm (4.4x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-5.8 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | PureColor II Touch TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 185 grams (0.41 lb) | 226 grams (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" 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 photographs | 220 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $175 | $230 |