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Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Canon ELPH 510 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Key Specs

Canon ELPH 510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.9) lens
  • 206g - 99 x 59 x 22mm
  • Revealed March 2012
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 1100 HS
Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
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Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Overview

Here, we are matching up the Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are sold by Canon. The image resolution of the ELPH 510 HS (12MP) and the SX20 IS (12MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 510 HS was manufactured 21 months later than the SX20 IS making them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon ELPH 510 HS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ELPH 510 HS grades versus the SX20 IS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 510 HS over the Canon SX20 IS

 ELPH 510 HS SX20 IS 
ReleasedMarch 2012July 2010Fresher by 21 months
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon ELPH 510 HS

 SX20 IS ELPH 510 HS 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Canon SX20 IS

 ELPH 510 HS SX20 IS 

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 510 HS provides external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Canon SX20 IS has proportions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the ELPH 510 HS against the SX20 IS.

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 510 HS and SX20 IS is 93 and 65 respectively.

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 510 HS and SX20 IS.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels and you should expect similar quality of photos however you should really factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher ELPH 510 HS should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS Portrait photography info
Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
27
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
37
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (206g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than average (600 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS Sports photography factors
Canon SX20 IS Sports photography factors
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS Travel photography factors
Canon SX20 IS Travel photography factors
66
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
has touch to focus
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (336mm)
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (600g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS Landscape photography details
Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
37
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
35
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon ELPH 510 HS
Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
35
fairly wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not have selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
50
pretty wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
more heavy than average (600g)
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Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon SX20 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 510 HS and Canon SX20 IS
 Canon ELPH 510 HSCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon ELPH 510 HS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Also referred to as IXUS 1100 HS -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-03-01 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.9 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.10 m 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/500s
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 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 600 gr (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model NB-9L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $200 $500