Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21
93 Imaging
36 Features
41 Overall
38


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- 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
- Also Known as IXUS 1100 HS
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Released February 2010

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon L21, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 510 HS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The ELPH 510 HS was introduced 2 years after the L21 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the ELPH 510 HS matches up versus the L21 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon Coolpix L21. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 510 HS Gallery and Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 510 HS over the Nikon L21
ELPH 510 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 26 months |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon ELPH 510 HS
L21 | ELPH 510 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon L21
ELPH 510 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 510 HS enjoys physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon L21 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ELPH 510 HS and the L21.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 510 HS and L21 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The pic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 510 HS and L21.
To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Canon ELPH 510 HS to provide extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger ELPH 510 HS provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon ELPH 510 HS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon ELPH 510 HS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Also referred to as | IXUS 1100 HS | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-03-01 | 2010-02-03 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 2.5 inches |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | PureColor II TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.10 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
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 (240 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 206 gr (0.45 lb) | 169 gr (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | NB-9L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $200 | $180 |