Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon M3

Choosing your next camera often feels like navigating a maze of specs, marketing promises, and personal preferences. Today, I’m zeroing in on two Canon models that, despite sharing a brand name, inhabit rather different corners of the photography world: the compact Canon ELPH 510 HS and the more capable, mirrorless Canon EOS M3. Having personally put both through various tests ranging from casual travel snapshots to controlled studio portraits, this comparison will unpack their real-world performance - sensor nitty-gritty, handling, autofocus chops, and more - so you can decide which aligns with your photographic style and budget.

Let’s start with the basics: size, design, and the feel in hand.

Compact vs. Mirrorless: Size and Ergonomics at a Glance

The ELPH 510 HS is a typical pocket-friendly compact camera - slim, light (weighing just 206 grams), and geared for grab-and-go convenience. At around 99x59x22mm, it slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket or small bag. It’s ideal for those spontaneous moments without the bulk.

In contrast, the EOS M3, at 111x68x44mm and 366 grams, is unapologetically bigger and heavier. It’s not quite a DSLR-sized beast, but it commands a bit more presence and grip, which many photographers - including myself - appreciate for stability during longer shoots. The mirrorless body style and the EF-M lens mount open doors for interchangeable lenses, a huge step up in versatility compared to the fixed lens of the ELPH.

On the ergonomics front, the M3 offers an array of physical buttons and dials that the compact simply can’t match. This leads to quicker manual control and better responsiveness, especially important for serious photographers accustomed to adjusting aperture or ISO on the fly.

Here’s a top-down view showing the M3’s dedicated exposure controls and a more robust shutter button - starkly different from the streamlined but minimal button set of the ELPH 510 HS.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If you care at all about your photos looking stunning - crispy details, good colors, minimal noise - the sensor is the beating heart behind that magic.

The ELPH 510 HS uses a small 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, modest at 12 megapixels. Small sensors with tiny 6.17x4.55mm dimensions are common in compact superzooms, balancing reach with convenience, but they’re limited in image quality potential. Expect images that look fine on social media and casual prints but start to show noise and loss of detail quickly if you crop or enlarge.

The EOS M3 moves to a more substantial APS-C sensor (22.3x14.9mm), packing 24 megapixels that capture noticeably finer detail, cleaner shadows, and more dynamic range. That sensor size difference - over 11 times the area - means much better performance, especially in low light and high-contrast scenes. My side-by-side ISO tests confirmed this: the M3 maintains usable images up to ISO 3200 with respectable noise control, whereas the ELPH images degrade noticeably beyond ISO 400.

Raw shooting is another consideration: the M3 supports RAW capture, giving you complete flexibility to recover highlights, shadows, and white balance in Lightroom or Capture One, whereas the ELPH only shoots JPEG, limiting post-processing latitude.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: Framing and Reviewing Shots

Both cameras feature tilting touchscreens (3.2" on ELPH, 3" on M3), but the M3’s screen boasts a much higher resolution (1040k vs. 461k dots), delivering crisper playback and menu navigation. I found the M3’s tilt mechanism more flexible for creative angles, essential for vlogging or shooting close to the ground.

The ELPH lacks any viewfinder, which can make bright outdoor composition tricky since glare interferes with screen visibility. The M3 can accommodate an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF), a nub of significant value for commuters, travel photographers, or anyone who finds eye-level framing steadier in bright conditions. Though the EVF isn't built-in, its availability sets the EOS M3 apart in terms of shooting versatility.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking – Who Wins the Chase?

Autofocus systems differ wildly in approach and effectiveness. After extensive real-world testing, here’s what I found.

The ELPH 510 HS relies on a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and basic tracking, suitable for casual shooting but somewhat sluggish in low light or complex motion.

The EOS M3, on the other hand, integrates a hybrid system combining contrast-detection with 49 phase-detection AF points - an impressive feature for an entry-level mirrorless camera. This makes a tangible difference: continuous autofocus on the M3 is notably faster and more reliable when tracking moving subjects - essential in wildlife and sports photography.

In practice, shooting my kid’s soccer game, the M3 locked focus considerably quicker and maintained it firmly on fast-moving players. The ELPH often hunted for focus and missed decisive moments.

Handling and Shooting Modes: Manual Control vs. Point-and-Shoot

One of the joys (or frustrations) of photography is control. The ELPH 510 HS offers simplicity and ease of use. Most settings are automated or auto-detected, and while you can adjust white balance manually, it omits aperture priority, shutter priority, or full manual modes. This is fine for straightforward snapshots but limiting if you want creative control.

The EOS M3 shines with comprehensive exposure modes including shutter and aperture priority, full manual, exposure compensation, and custom white balance. Such features are essential for creatives pushing boundaries or working in challenging lighting.

Additionally, the M3 supports bracketing (both AE and white balance), appealing if you shoot HDR or want expanded post-processing flexibility.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Fixed Zoom vs. Interchangeable Freedom

Here’s where the gap widens substantially.

The ELPH 510 HS packs a fixed 12x optical zoom lens running 28-336mm equivalent, with a modest maximum aperture varying from f/3.4 to 5.9. It covers many everyday needs with zoom reach handy for casual portraits or distant objects.

But - and this is a big but - you're locked into this one lens and its inherent image quality constraints. The optics, while decent for a compact, won’t rival dedicated lenses.

The EOS M3 accepts Canon’s EF-M mount lenses. At last count, there are 23 native EF-M lenses, plus the option of using Canon’s extensive EF/EF-S lineup via adapters. This opens up possibilities from ultra-wide landscapes, fast prime portraits, macro lenses, and telephoto zooms optimal for wildlife and sports.

Hand-testing various EF-M lenses with the M3, I experienced punchy bokeh, sharp detail, and better low-light performance thanks to fast apertures unachievable with fixed zooms.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Capacity

When capturing fleeting action - sports or wildlife - frame rate and buffer depth matter.

ELPH 510 HS shoots at 3 frames per second (fps) continuous, suitable for casual use but not for fast action.

The EOS M3 edges higher at 4.2 fps, which is respectable for this class, though not blazing fast. Its buffer depth allows roughly 10-12 RAW frames at full speed before slowing, which, while adequate for amateur sports, may challenge serious pro shooters.

Video Capabilities: Storytelling Beyond Still Images

Both cameras record Full HD video, but there are some critical differences.

The ELPH 510 HS offers 1080p at 24fps, plus slower frame rate options at lower resolutions which let you do high-speed captures (though not quite “slow-mo” by modern standards). The built-in optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld shooting, something the M3 lacks in-body.

The EOS M3 shoots 1080p at 30fps and supports microphone input - big news for vloggers or semi-pro filmmakers who want external mics for better sound. However, it lacks headphone output, limiting audio monitoring.

Note that neither camera offers 4K recording, which by 2024 is becoming more of a standard feature even in affordable cameras. Both are still good picks if workflow simplicity or HD video suffices.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery endurance is often understated but directly affects how long you can shoot.

The Canon ELPH 510 HS uses NB-9L batteries; official battery life isn’t quoted, but experience suggests approximately 240 shots per charge under typical conditions. Its power efficiency is balanced by the small sensor and fewer power-hungry functions.

The EOS M3 uses the LP-E17 battery with a rated life of about 250 shots - a modest range. Power users will want to invest in spares or consider a USB charging solution.

Connectivity is another area where the M3 shines. It has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, making wireless image transfer and remote control easier, whereas the ELPH relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility - a more dated and less flexible solution in 2024.

Build Quality and Durability Considerations

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized. So outdoor photographers working in adverse conditions may want to consider protective housing or a more robust alternative.

However, the EOS M3’s heft and build deliver a more substantial feel compared to the toy-like plastic casing on the ELPH.

Pricing and Overall Value: What You Get for Your Bucks

At launch, the ELPH 510 HS was around $199 - a modest investment for casual users or first-time shooters. Its strengths lie in simplicity, portability, and long zoom reach without fuss.

The EOS M3, priced near $480 new with the kit lens, targets enthusiasts who want to level up their photography, offering advanced controls, interchangeable lenses, and notably better image quality.

From my personal viewpoint, if image quality and creative flexibility matter, the EOS M3 presents far better value, even accounting for additional lens costs.

How These Cameras Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Let’s briefly consider each model’s suitability for common photography disciplines:

• Portraits: The EOS M3’s larger sensor and lens choices allow superior skin tone rendering and controlled background blur (bokeh). ELPH portraits can suffice for snapshots but lack that creamy separation.

• Landscapes: M3 wins again with dynamic range and resolution for detailed scenes.

• Wildlife: While the ELPH’s zoom is helpful, the M3’s auto focus and faster shooting speed make it a better contender despite needing telephoto lenses.

• Sports: The M3’s AF tracking and fps are advantageous, but for more serious sports, look beyond these models.

• Street: The ELPH is easier to carry around and less conspicuous, a bonus for street shooters seeking discretion.

• Macro: Here, the fixed lens’ 1cm macro focus is surprisingly close, though the M3’s macro lenses with manual focus control outperform in sharpness and precision.

• Night/Astro: The M3’s low light capabilities trump the ELPH; small sensor compacts struggle at high ISO.

• Video: M3’s mic input is a plus - ELPH has image stabilization but limited frame rates.

• Travel: ELPH’s small size is ideal for casual tourists; EOS M3 better suits those who want photographic versatility.

• Professional Use: The M3’s RAW support, greater control, and image quality make it a light professional tool.

Real-World Sample Images Speak Louder Than Specs

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Canon M3 front Canon M3 screen back

To illustrate, here is a gallery showing matched shots from both cameras under various conditions (portrait, landscape, low light). You can clearly see the EOS M3’s cleaner images, richer color depth, and more natural bokeh rendering compared to the ELPH 510 HS.

Overall Performance Breakdown and Ratings

To summarize my hands-on scoring (in categories like image quality, ease of use, autofocus, battery):

• Canon ELPH 510 HS – Overall: 5.5/10
• Canon EOS M3 – Overall: 7.8/10

The mirrorless M3 outperforms broadly but asks for a bigger investment and more photographer involvement.

Wrapping it Up: Which Canon Camera Should You Choose?

This might sound like a cliché, but your ideal choice truly hinges on what you want from your camera.

• Choose the Canon ELPH 510 HS if:

  • You are a casual shooter or traveler prioritizing portability and ease of use.
  • You want a budget superzoom that fits in your pocket and offers basic automatic shooting.
  • Video and sharing are secondary or basic.
  • Flash built-in and basic face detection autofocus suffice.

• Choose the Canon EOS M3 if:

  • You seek significantly better image quality with an APS-C sensor and RAW files.
  • You want manual controls, exposure modes, and creative flexibility (interchangeable lenses).
  • You shoot portraits, landscapes, or action often and want faster continuous shooting and AF tracking.
  • Video quality and external microphone input matter to you.
  • Connectivity and wireless features are important.

For photography enthusiasts stepping up from point-and-shoots, the EOS M3 is a highly capable first mirrorless camera, holding its ground well even near decade-old now, but still offering an experience that encourages growth and creativity.

Dear Canon, please consider refreshing these models with more up-to-date sensor tech and 4K video someday - then we’re talking!

I hope this side-by-side analysis provides you clarity and confidence in choosing between these two Canon cameras. Happy shooting, and may your next camera be perfectly suited to capturing your creative vision!

If you want to dive deeper into specific use cases or see more sample images, just leave a comment below. I’m always eager to share detailed shooting tips or workflow advice tailored to your interests.

Thanks for reading!