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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Panasonic ZS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 500 HS was revealed 22 months after the ZS3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ELPH 500 HS scores against the ZS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Panasonic ZS3

 ELPH 500 HS ZS3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011May 2009Newer by 22 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 ZS3 ELPH 500 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Panasonic ZS3

 ELPH 500 HS ZS3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS offers outside dimensions 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 Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS vs the ZS3.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and ZS3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 500 HS and ZS3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon ELPH 500 HS to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The fresher ELPH 500 HS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
26
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography info
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (180 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
64
includes touch focus
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (180 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
40
rather wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (180 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
37
rather wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon ELPH 500 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-07 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology PureColor II Touch TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lbs) 229g (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 180 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $175 $200