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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Released February 2011
  • Alternative Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Successor is Sony HX30V
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 500 HS was manufactured 17 months prior to the HX20V making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the ELPH 500 HS grades versus the HX20V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Sony HX20V

 ELPH 500 HS HX20V 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 HX20V ELPH 500 HS 
AnnouncedJuly 2012February 2011More recent by 17 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display resolution922k461kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Sony HX20V

 ELPH 500 HS HX20V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 500 HS has physical measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Sony HX20V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the ELPH 500 HS compared to the HX20V.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 500 HS and HX20V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 500 HS and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony HX20V to offer you greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older ELPH 500 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX20V Portrait photography highlights
26
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Street photography with Sony HX20V
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography information
Sony HX20V Sports photography information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (180 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Travel photography factors
Sony HX20V Travel photography factors
64
offers focus via touch
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (180 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX20V Landscape photography highlights
40
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (180 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
50
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Vlogging features
Sony HX20V Vlogging features
37
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Sony HX20V
 Canon ELPH 500 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also called IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-07 2012-07-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology PureColor II Touch TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 grams (0.41 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 images 320 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $175 $397