Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX420 IS: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera can transform your creative journey, whether you’re an aspiring photographer or a working pro looking for a versatile travel companion. Today, we dissect two Canon models that often come up in this category: the Canon ELPH 510 HS (also known as IXUS 1100 HS) introduced in 2012, and the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS launched in 2016. Both cameras pack superzoom capabilities into small sensor bodies, but their intended use cases, user experience, and technical capabilities offer distinct advantages and trade-offs.

We’ll explore everything from sensor technology and lens performance through to ergonomics and shooting disciplines, enabling you to find out exactly which model supports your photographic style and workflow. Having personally tested thousands of cameras throughout my career, I’ll combine technical rigor with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Making Sense of the Specs: Physical Size and Handling

Before diving into image quality and features, it’s important to assess how these two cameras feel in your hands, since ergonomics heavily influence shooting comfort over time.

In Use:
The ELPH 510 HS is clearly designed for maximum portability - it slips easily into a jacket pocket or purse without feeling cumbersome. Its slim profile suits street photographers or casual shooters who prioritize compactness. However, its minimal grip and small size can feel fiddly for those used to more robust camera bodies.

On the other hand, the SX420 IS leans toward a DSLR-like handling experience with a larger, molded grip that improves stability during long zoom shots or burst sequences. The added bulk means it’s less discreet, but this camera instills more confidence for users valuing secure handling over compactness, especially in outdoor or travel photography scenarios.

Exploring the Top Controls and Interface

Interface design can make or break your shooting rhythm. Quick access to key functions ensures you don’t miss critical moments.

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: Controls are minimalistic with a straightforward shutter button and zoom toggle on top. Lacking dedicated dials, this camera relies heavily on touchscreen interaction and simple menus. This simplicity benefits beginners or casual users but restricts quick manual adjustments.

• Canon SX420 IS: A slightly more sophisticated layout with mode dial and dedicated zoom toggle provides faster access to common shooting modes. Though it still lacks full manual exposure controls, its button arrangement suits users wanting more traditional handling without complex menus.

Our takeaway: If you prefer tactile controls and a DSLR-like feel with easy mode switching, the SX420 IS has the edge here. For pocketable convenience and touchscreen simplicity, ELPH 510 HS fits better.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Breakdown

At the heart of any camera’s image quality lies the sensor. Both offer small 1/2.3” sensors but differ significantly in technology, resolution, and performance envelopes.

Technical Analysis:
The ELPH 510 HS’s BSI-CMOS sensor represents a modern approach for this compact segment. Backside illumination improves light-gathering capabilities compared to traditional CMOS, offering better low-light performance and cleaner images at higher ISOs. The maximum ISO 3200 setting, while not ideal for heavy noise, provides more flexibility.

In contrast, the SX420 IS uses an older CCD sensor, known for sharp images and good color rendition at base ISOs, but it lacks the low-light competence and dynamic range improvements of BSI-CMOS. Its maximum ISO tops out at 1600, limiting performance in dim conditions.

Resolution-wise, the SX420 boasts 20 megapixels versus 12 MP on the ELPH. While more pixels can mean more fine detail, on small sensors this often risks increased noise and reduced pixel size, which impacts image clarity - especially in low light, as experienced in our tests.

In Practice:

• Portraits: The ELPH 510 HS’s sensor and DIGIC processor combination renders skin tones more naturally with less noise at higher ISO values - important when shooting indoors or in shadows.
• Landscapes: SX420 IS offers higher resolution files useful for cropping or printing larger images, but dynamic range is limited on both, so shooting in RAW (which neither supports) is impossible to recover shadows and highlights extensively.
• Low Light/Night: The ELPH’s better high ISO capability enables cleaner night shots, within reason; neither camera is ideal for astrophotography.

Lens Offerings and Zoom Capabilities: How Far Can You Go?

Both cameras sport fixed lenses but differ significantly in focal length ranges and aperture, impacting versatility and image quality.

Real-World Insight:

• The SX420 IS’s extreme 42x zoom is certainly eye-catching. At 1008mm equivalent focal length, it opens up wildlife, sports, and distant landscape shooting to hobbyists without needing long telephoto lenses. The trade-off, however, is a smaller maximum aperture at telephoto, leading to dimmer viewfinder images and less background blur. Also, image quality tends to diminish at max zoom due to lens physics.

• The ELPH 510 HS’s 12x zoom offers a more balanced perspective starting at 28mm wide-angle - excellent for landscapes and group portraits - with reasonably bright apertures that aid in low light and bokeh control. Its 1cm macro focus capability lets you explore close-up subjects creatively with good sharpness and minimum distortion.

Autofocus Performance and Speed

Autofocus makes a huge difference in real-world shooting, whether you’re chasing birds or grabbing quick street snaps.

Testing Notes:

• The ELPH 510 HS employs a touchscreen AF system with face detection and limited tracking. In bright conditions, this produces reasonably sharp results quickly on static or slow-moving subjects. Continuous AF and tracking help in casual action shots.

• The SX420 IS adds manual focus control, a boon if you want creative control or to fine-tune focus in macro or low-contrast situations. However, its autofocus lacks tracking continuity, which can be a challenge in unpredictable wildlife or sports action.

Display and Viewfinder Considerations: Seeing Your Image

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, which limits shooting comfort in bright sunlight especially for outdoor photography. However, their rear LCD screens differ.

Hands-On Takeaways:
The ELPH 510 HS’s higher resolution 3.2-inch screen and touchscreen interface promote easier composition and menu navigation. It offers better preview clarity and lets you select AF points intuitively, improving your shooting efficiency especially when using face detection or tap focus.

The SX420 IS screen’s lower resolution can be noticeably grainy, making critical focus checking harder. The absence of a touchscreen means navigating menus requires button presses, slowing down adjustments.

Burst Shooting, Video Recording, and Creative Modes

For those capturing fast action or creating video content, performance and usability are crucial.

Analysis:
The ELPH 510 HS can shoot bursts at 3 frames per second, suitable for capturing limited action moments. Its Full HD 1080p video at 24fps delivers better image quality and smoother video than the SX420’s max 720p, making it more appropriate for casual videography or vlogging on a budget.

Added slow-motion video capture capabilities on the ELPH (albeit at lower resolutions) add creative flexibility unmatched by the SX420.

Battery Life and Storage Essentials

Shooting longevity and storage flexibility impact your ability to stay productive in the field.

Although the ELPH 510 HS’s official battery life is not specified, compact cameras in this category typically perform similarly to the SX420’s approximate 200 shots per charge. This battery life suffices for casual shoots but you’ll want spare batteries for extended trips or high-volume shooting.

Connectivity: How Do You Share Your Creations?

Sharing images effortlessly is part of the modern camera experience.

The SX420 IS’s integrated Wi-Fi and NFC allow easier direct image transfers to compatible devices without insertion of special cards, a practical benefit for on-the-go sharing and backup.

The ELPH 510 HS supports wireless connectivity only via optional Eye-Fi cards, a less convenient solution in today’s fast-paced workflow environment.

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Final Considerations in Different Photography Disciplines

To help you fully grasp where each camera shines, we break down suitability across key genres.

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Canon SX420 IS front Canon SX420 IS screen back

Scoring Each Camera Objectively

Here is an overall performance rating across key camera attributes based on hands-on tests:

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Who Should Pick Which Camera?

• Choose Canon ELPH 510 HS if:

  • You prioritize portability and quick, easy handling.
  • You want better image quality in moderate low-light situations.
  • You seek good video quality with Full HD and slow-motion options.
  • You like touchscreen controls and faster burst shooting for casual action.
  • You shoot lots of portraits or macro close-ups.
  • You want a camera that slips easily into your pocket.

• Choose Canon PowerShot SX420 IS if:

  • You need extreme zoom range for distant wildlife or travel landscapes.
  • You want manual focus to exert creative control.
  • You want wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi and NFC built right in.
  • You prefer DSLR-style ergonomics and more secure grip.
  • You are less concerned about latest sensor tech and more after zoom versatility.
  • You want to capture high-resolution images for cropping flexibility.

Our Final Thoughts

While both cameras are built around the small 1/2.3” sensor format and fall into the small-sensor superzoom family, the Canon ELPH 510 HS is fundamentally a more modern, approachable, and image-quality minded compact camera from the early 2010s. Its BSI-CMOS sensor, touchscreen interface, and Full HD video strike a balance ideal for casual enthusiasts and portrait or travel shooters craving simplicity.

Meanwhile, the Canon SX420 IS is a bridge camera with a massive 42x zoom that expands creative horizons in telephoto shots. It trades off some image quality, burst speed, and video resolution to offer manual focusing and classic handling ergonomics, better suited for outdoor adventure photograph enthusiasts who prioritize frame reach over speed or sensor modernity.

If you’re leaning toward a lightweight, versatile pocketable shooter, start your journey with the ELPH 510 HS. But if you need reach and direct control while accepting some compromises, the SX420 IS is worth a look.

No matter your choice, getting comfortable with your camera is key. We recommend trying hands-on demos to explore ergonomics, zoom feel, and autofocus responsiveness before committing. Also consider investing in fast SD cards and extra batteries to enhance shooting experiences.

Happy shooting!

This comprehensive review synthesized technical examination with real-world use scenarios to help you make a confident purchase decision. Both cameras have their place in Canon’s compact superzoom heritage, but their differences reveal important design philosophies and user needs across photographic disciplines.