Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus XZ-1

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Olympus XZ-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is very close but the ELPH 500 HS (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The ELPH 500 HS was manufactured at a similar time to the XZ-1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up vs the XZ-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon ELPH 500 HS & Olympus XZ-1. The entire galleries are provided at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery & Olympus XZ-1 Gallery.

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon ELPH 500 HS offers physical 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 XZ-1 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check out the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Olympus XZ-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS against the XZ-1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and XZ-1 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Normally, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ELPH 500 HS and XZ-1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ELPH 500 HS because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Canon ELPH 500 HS will render more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively.