Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Below is a detailed analysis of the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is very close but the ELPH 500 HS (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") possess different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The ELPH 500 HS was released 22 months prior to the XZ-2 iHS making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up against the XZ-2 iHS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The complete galleries are available at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery and Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon ELPH 500 HS provides 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) while the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Check out the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the ELPH 500 HS vs the XZ-2 iHS.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and XZ-2 iHS is 94 and 85 respectively.

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ELPH 500 HS and XZ-2 iHS.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor measurements. The ELPH 500 HS contains the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh trickier. The older ELPH 500 HS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.