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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 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
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Released January 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 500 HS was launched 11 months prior to the VS20 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the ELPH 500 HS grades vs the VS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Pentax VS20

 ELPH 500 HS VS20 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 VS20 ELPH 500 HS 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2011More modern by 11 months
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Pentax VS20

 ELPH 500 HS VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 500 HS has got exterior 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 Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the ELPH 500 HS and the VS20.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and VS20 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 500 HS and VS20.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged ELPH 500 HS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography features
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
26
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
62
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography features
Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (3.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (180 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Travel photography advice
Pentax VS20 Travel photography advice
64
has touch focus
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery life (180 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (235 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Landscape photography features
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography features
40
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (180 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
46
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Vlogging details
Pentax VS20 Vlogging details
37
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
30
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Pentax VS20
 Canon ELPH 500 HSPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Pentax Optio VS20
Also called as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-07 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech PureColor II Touch TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 grams (0.41 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L D-LI122
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 Single Single
Pricing at release $175 $106