Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7
94 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


95 Imaging
37 Features
41 Overall
38
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 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
- Announced February 2011
- Alternative Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2012

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview
In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Panasonic SZ7, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The ELPH 500 HS was revealed 11 months before the SZ7 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up vs the SZ7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. The full galleries are provided at Canon ELPH 500 HS Gallery and Panasonic SZ7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Panasonic SZ7
ELPH 500 HS | SZ7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS
SZ7 | ELPH 500 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 11 months |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Panasonic SZ7
ELPH 500 HS | SZ7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS provides physical dimensions 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 Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
Examine the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Panasonic SZ7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the ELPH 500 HS vs the SZ7.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 500 HS and SZ7 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at specifications. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 500 HS and SZ7.
To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic SZ7 to resolve more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older ELPH 500 HS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications
Canon ELPH 500 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon ELPH 500 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 |
Also called | IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-02-07 | 2012-01-09 |
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 | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-105mm (4.4x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.0-5.8 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | PureColor II Touch TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 5.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | 185g (0.41 pounds) | 133g (0.29 pounds) |
Dimensions | 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 shots | 220 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $175 | $199 |