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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Also Known as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 ELPH 500 HS SZ-16 iHS 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution461k460kClearer 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 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2011Newer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography info
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography info
26
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography information
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography information
62
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (180 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
64
features touch to focus
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery (180 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery power (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
40
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery (180 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging info
37
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
 Canon ELPH 500 HSOlympus 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