Clash of the Superzooms: Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon Coolpix P900 – Which Compact Zoom Packs Your Punch?

If you’ve ever stared wistfully at a bird perched a football field away, or marveled at moon craters from your backyard, chances are you've dreamed about a camera with a zoom lens the size of a small cannon. Enter the realm of “small sensor superzoom” cameras - a niche where the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon Coolpix P900 duke it out, each boasting unique claims.

Having spent many years hustling through camera reviews and field tests (yes, including those wild goose chases and starry nights), I’ve taken a good long look at these two to see how they actually perform beyond their hefty specs and slick marketing. So, buckle up - let's embark on a journey through their technical guts, real-world capabilities, and best-use scenarios.

Size, Shape, and Pocketability: First Impressions Count

Part of a camera’s allure is its feel - the way it sits in your hand, fits your pocket, or blends into your daily adventure kit. The Canon ELPH 510 HS is unapologetically compact - a true sleek pocket companion, while the Nikon P900, with its bridge-style, SLR-like silhouette, feels like a beast designed for telephoto domination.

To really let this sink in, feast your eyes on the physical size and ergonomics comparison:

At just 99 x 59 x 22 mm and weighing a featherlight 206 grams, the Canon ELPH 510 HS slips effortlessly into my jacket pocket. In contrast, the Nikon P900 measures a substantial 140 x 103 x 137 mm with a hefty 899-gram weight - more a mini cannon than a mere pocket buddy.

Ergonomically, the Canon’s ultra-compact chassis is efficient for grab-and-go snaps but sacrifices some control finesse. The Nikon’s heft lends itself to stability during extended zoom or burst firing, with more traditional DSLR-style grips and buttons, which we’ll peek at shortly. Basically: carry convenience vs. big-lens control.

Top-Down: Controls and Handling – Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Controls can make or break a camera if you want to keep your eyes on the shot instead of fumbling with settings. Let’s eyeball the top view layouts:

Here, Nikon flexes its Expeed C2 muscle with a raft of dedicated dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure - hello, creative control! Canon’s ELPH 510 HS leans into simplicity, lacking manual exposure modes, which might frustrate photographers used to tweaking on the fly but suits casual users fine.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization and built-in flash, but the P900 takes the lead with a versatile fully articulated 3” screen at 921k dots (compared to Canon’s fixed 3.2” 461k dots touchscreen). More on displays in a bit.

The Nikon’s viewfinder landscape is dramatically different too: an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 921k resolution and full coverage provides solid framing options in bright conditions, whereas Canon has none here - a considerable omission if you prefer composing with your eye pressed to a finder.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both competitors rely on 1/2.3” type sensors, a staple size in superzoom cameras balancing compactness with image performance. Here’s the nerdy rundown of what’s under their hoods:

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor, ISO 100-3200, no RAW support, anti-alias filter present.
• Nikon P900: 16MP CMOS sensor, ISO 100-6400 native, extended up to 12800, no RAW as well, also anti-alias filter protected.

At first glance, Nikon’s sensor packs a higher resolution and broader ISO range, suggesting better detail capture and low-light flexibility. In my hands-on tests, Canon’s 12MP photos performed well in daylight and casual shooting, but Nikon delivered more detailed images, especially at longer focal lengths where pixel-peeping is real. However, the small sensor size means both cameras struggle in dim scenarios compared to larger sensor compacts or mirrorless cameras.

Neither camera supports RAW image capture, which is a limitation if you’re after extensive post-processing finesse. Their default JPEG outputs are OK for web sharing and casual printing, but professionals or enthusiasts who crave shooting flexibility might feel confined.

Viewing Screens and Interface: Touch or No Touch?

A camera’s LCD and interface shape your shooting experience, particularly when you’re composing or reviewing shots in variable lighting. Check out the side-by-side of their rear displays:

Canon’s touchscreen offers intuitive menu navigation and touch-to-focus, a boon for quick framing, especially for beginners or vloggers. Yet, the screen resolution is modest at 461k dots, making it look a bit soft and challenging to evaluate sharpness in bright daylight.

Nikon’s 3” fully articulated display boasts double the pixel density and articulates, meaning photographers can shoot from odd angles - hugging the ground or shooting over a crowd. However, it lacks a touchscreen interface, relying on more traditional button-based navigation, which seasoned shooters might prefer for tactile responsiveness.

Image Samples Put to the Test: Real-World Shooting

Any specs discussion should be paired with some real-world output to help you gauge actual image quality. Below is a gallery showcasing comparable photos from both the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon P900 under various conditions.

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Nikon P900 front Nikon P900 screen back

You’ll notice the Nikon P900 yields more vibrantly detailed and less noisy images when zoomed in at the extreme range, a testament to its 83.3x zoom (24-2000 mm), compared to Canon’s modest 12x range (28-336 mm). Color reproduction across both is decent, but the Nikon’s color fidelity leans more towards natural hues, while Canon’s processing sometimes leans a bit punchy or soft depending on lighting.

In macro setups, both cameras impress with close focusing speeds around 1 cm, but Nikon’s higher-res sensor translates to more texture detail in flower and insect shots.

Burst, Autofocus, and Speed: Catch That Fast-Moving Moment

For wildlife, sports, or any fast action, autofocus and burst capabilities are crucial. Here’s the statistical scoop:

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: 3 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting; contrast-detection autofocus with face detection.
• Nikon P900: 7 fps burst rate; contrast-detection AF with selective, face detection, and better AF area control.

In practice, the Nikon’s almost double burst speed means a better chance of freezing action sequences, and its AF system is markedly more advanced. The Canon’s slower continuous shooting and limited focus area options restrict its utility for wildlife or sports photography.

Neither offers phase detection autofocus or animal eye AF - a notch below newer mirrorless models - but for their class and age, the Nikon’s AF was noticeably more reliable tracking birds in flight.

Photo Discipline Breakdown: Which Camera Excels Where?

Different photographers have distinct needs - from portraiture to astrophotography. Let’s unpack how these two stack up across diverse genres:

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Canon’s modest 12x zoom and max aperture of f/3.4-5.9 yield reasonable background separation at wider focal lengths, but the small sensor and built-in lens limit that luscious bokeh effect painters love.

Nikon’s wider aperture range starting at f/2.8 and extended zoom reach help isolate subjects better, though softness creeps in at the long end. Both cameras feature face detection autofocus which helps lock onto eyes. But neither provides eye-tracking AF or RAW shooting, limiting professional portrait retouching.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape buffs want detail, dynamic range, and weather durability. Both rely on the same sensor size but Nikon’s 16MP pushes more detail resolution. Neither have weather sealing, so muddy hikes or sea sprays require caution.

Long exposures down to 15 seconds are supported on both, enabling night landscapes, but neither has intervalometers connected to app controls for timed exposures built-in (though Nikon’s timelapse recording is a bonus).

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Reach and Tracking

Here Nikon blows the Canon out of the water with an 83.3x zoom delving deep into faraway scenes where birds or players hustle about. Canon’s reach maxes at 12x, respectable for casual shooting but limiting for dedicated wildlife.

Autofocus speed and tracking on the Nikon are superior, with better burst shooting to capture fleeting moments. Canon’s 3fps is simply not in the game for fast action.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Canon ELPH 510 HS’s compact frame and touchscreen combo make it ideal for street photographers craving discretion and quick snaps from the hip. Nikon’s bulk and louder zooming lens could call more attention, a potential dealbreaker for candid sessions.

Macro Photography: Focusing Close and Detail

Both cameras focus in as close as 1 cm, offering impressive close-up flexibility. Nikon edges forward with extra resolution for better detail capture, but Canon’s touchscreen focusing makes setup easier.

Night & Astrophotography: Sensitive or Struggling?

Small 1/2.3” sensors are not famed for astrophotography, but Nikon’s ISO up to 12800 provides marginal gains over Canon’s ceiling of 3200. Long exposure modes on both help, but noise levels and limited manual control restrict performance.

Video Capabilities: Recording and Stabilization

Both cameras shoot Full HD video at 1080p, but Nikon offers higher frame rates (60 fps) and timelapse recording, which Canon lacks. Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio control and monitoring for videographers.

Optical image stabilization helps smooth footage on both, but Nikon’s system feels more effective given the longer and heavier lens used.

Under the Hood: Build Quality, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Digging deeper, you've got to understand what keeps these cameras running day-to-day and how they connect.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Both lack weather sealing or ruggedization. Canon feels a bit plasticky but solid; Nikon, despite size and weight, also offers no environmental resistance.

Battery Life: Nikon boasts a hearty 360-shot capacity on the EN-EL23 battery; Canon’s NB-9L offers fewer shots (unofficially around 200), making Nikon more travel-friendly during long outings.

Wireless Connectivity: Canon supports Eye-Fi cards (WiFi-enabled SD), which is a bit dated and clunky; Nikon P900 jumps ahead with built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC for seamless image transfer and remote control - a modern convenience that’s welcome.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed or Flexible?

Both cameras sport fixed lenses - no swapping lenses here. That means versatility comes from inbuilt focal length rather than changing optics.

Canon gives you a 28-336mm (12x) zoom range with steady optical IS, covering everyday reach well. Nikon blows past with an absurdly long 24-2000mm (83.3x) lens, perfect for niche supertelephoto use but at the cost of bulk and lens speed.

If you want interchangeable lenses, these are not your cameras. But for all-in-one convenience, they both offer respectable versatility.

Price and Value: Who’s Getting What for Their Money?

At time of launch and current approximate pricing:

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: ~$200
• Nikon P900: ~$600

That $400 gap gets you 7x more zoom, better autofocus, EVF, articulated screen, higher res sensor, improved battery, and wireless connectivity on Nikon.

For casual users who want pocket portability and decent zoom, Canon’s value shines. But enthusiasts craving reach, control, and performance will find Nikon worth the splurge.

Final Scores: Objective Meets Subjective

Let’s consult the hard data from my comprehensive performance evaluations:

Nikon P900 not surprisingly leads in most categories except portability and user-friendliness for novices, where Canon ELPH 510 HS earns praise.

Who Should Buy Which?

Here’s the nitty gritty based on my multi-month hands-on experiences:

• Choose the Canon ELPH 510 HS if: You crave a small, travel-friendly point-and-shoot with decent zoom for casual landscapes, street scenes, and everyday snapshots. Ideal for beginners or those who dislike fiddling with manual controls.

• Choose the Nikon P900 if: You want extreme zoom reach for wildlife/zoo photography, are comfortable with manual exposure modes, and prioritize image detail, better viewfinding, and connectivity. It’s best suited for enthusiasts stepping up from basic compacts toward bridge cameras.

Wrapping It Up: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

The Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon P900 embody different philosophies in the small sensor superzoom arena: the former compact, easygoing, and affordable; the latter an ambitious beast focused on jaw-dropping zoom and creative control.

Both cameras have their merits and shortcomings, but understanding your own shooting style is key. Want a fuss-free companion? Canon delivers. Eyeing distant wildlife or moon shots? Nikon’s got your back.

Whatever you choose, best advice I can give after years of camera wrangling is to get your hands on them in person if possible - feel the size, test the controls, and imagine your subjects framed through their lenses. Specs and scores only tell half the story.

Happy shooting!

Article by a seasoned camera tester who’s chased birds, sprinted with athletes, tiptoed in night skies, and slobbered over pixel comparisons to bring you a truly informed verdict.