Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V: A Detailed Comparison for the Informed Photographer

When choosing a compact superzoom camera from the early 2010s - a time when smartphone cameras had yet to dominate casual photography - enthusiasts frequently faced a balancing act: selecting a model that packs extensive zoom capabilities and advanced features into a pocketable form factor. Here, we compare two iconic early models from Canon and Sony: the Canon ELPH 510 HS (aka IXUS 1100 HS) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V. Both aim at users wanting superzoom versatility in a compact body, yet they reveal distinct philosophies, strengths, and compromises from first glance to image quality and video performance.

Drawing on years of hands-on testing with these cameras - and countless others - we dissect their technology, field performance, usability, and practical value. Our aim is to empower photographers across disciplines, whether portrait specialists, travel enthusiasts, or budding videographers, to find which model better suits their needs.

The First Impression: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

Compact cameras are primarily valued for their portability and ease of use. Hence, physical design and handling deserve scrutiny before diving into specs.

Canon ELPH 510 HS presents as an ultra-slim, lightweight compact with physical dimensions measuring only 99 × 59 × 22 mm and scaling a mere 206 grams. Its minimalist footprint fits comfortably in most pockets and purses without any awkward bulk.

Conversely, the Sony HX10V is noticeably chunkier at 105 × 60 × 34 mm, weighing in at 234 grams. While not hefty, the added thickness affords more robust grip ergonomics and space for physical controls.

The Canon’s almost candy-bar slim profile gives it undeniable travel and street photography appeal for those valuing discreetness and easy carry. However, this slimness compromises potential grip comfort during extended handheld shooting, especially with the lens fully zoomed.

Sony's thicker body, while less pocket-friendly, provides a more substantial grip and roomier button layout that facilitates precise control - a boon during fast-paced shooting in wildlife or sports scenarios where quick access is crucial.

Top-Down: Control Layout and Handling Nuances

How a camera feels in the hands is amplified by the layout of dials, buttons, and the top panel arrangement, influencing speed and intuitiveness of operation.

Examining the Canon ELPH 510 HS, the top plating is sparse: a mode dial is absent, replaced by an entirely auto-focused interface, with an on/off switch and shutter release dominating the space. This reflects Canon’s approach aiming at point-and-shoot simplicity, where novices can benefit from minimal input requirements, albeit at the expense of direct manual access to exposure controls.

In contrast, the Sony HX10V incorporates physical exposure compensation buttons and a dedicated zoom toggle integrated with the shutter, implying a nod toward users wanting finer control mid-shoot. Sony also provides manual exposure mode options, widening creative freedom.

If you are a beginner or prefer hassle-free shooting, Canon’s simple interface streamlines the experience. More advanced users will appreciate Sony’s tactile controls for quick adjustments in dynamic lighting or fast-moving subjects.

Sensor, Resolution, and Image Quality Potential

Image quality is fundamentally shaped by sensor size, technology, and pixel count. Both models utilize 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors, a popular small sensor size in compact superzooms for balancing cost and zoom range with reasonable noise control.

However, Sony’s advantage stems from packing an 18-megapixel sensor (4896×3672 max resolution) versus Canon’s 12 megapixels (4000×3000), offering a notable increase in resolution potential. The higher pixel density, however, brings the usual tradeoff of slightly elevated noise levels at high ISOs - a critical factor in low-light scenarios.

Both sensors incorporate anti-alias filters to reduce moiré, but neither supports shooting in RAW format, limiting post-processing latitude for professionals seeking to maximize image detail recovery.

In practice, the larger resolution of the HX10V gives it an edge for cropping landscapes or portraits while maintaining sharpness. Meanwhile, the Canon delivers clean, well-saturated JPEGs optimized for casual sharing and prints up to A4 without noticeable softness.

Exploring Display and Interface Features

LCD quality and touchscreen capabilities influence framing, menu navigation, and overall shooting satisfaction.

Canon’s ELPH 510 HS sports a 3.2-inch PureColor II TFT LCD touchscreen with 461k-dot resolution - large and responsive for its time, facilitating intuitive touch-to-focus and menu control.

Sony’s HX10V opts for a 3.0-inch XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD with a higher dot count of 922k, providing sharper image previews with more contrast and deeper blacks - a plus when composing under bright conditions.

Notably, Sony does not include touchscreen functionality, relying instead on physical buttons and navigation dials, which might feel dated yet remain reliable in direct sunlight or when wearing gloves.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Responsiveness

AF performance is a key differentiator in real-world usability, especially when photographing active subjects.

The Canon ELPH 510 HS employs contrast detection autofocus with face detection and a 3.0 fps continuous shooting rate. Autofocus points and cross-type sensor details remain unspecified by Canon, but testing shows it focuses accurately in decent light, though it is occasionally sluggish in low light or low contrast scenes.

The Sony HX10V features a 9-point contrast detection system, enhanced by the BIONZ processor, capable of 10 fps burst shooting - a substantial advantage for capturing fleeting moments in wildlife or sports.

Sony’s face detection is complemented by AF tracking modes, improving subject retention during movement, whereas Canon’s system is less dynamic, constrained by its entry-level processing.

For action photography, the HX10V’s AF speed and burst capability confer a meaningful performance edge.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Range and Optical Quality

Superzoom functionality predominantly relies on the fixed lens specifications.

Canon's lens spans 28-336mm equivalent (12x zoom) with a max aperture ranging from f/3.4 to f/5.9. The macro focus capability impressive at just 1cm allows extreme close-ups, vital for macro enthusiasts wanting to capture fine detail.

Sony extends zoom reach further: a 24-400mm equivalent (16.7x zoom) with aperture f/3.3–5.9 and a minimum focus distance of 5cm for close-ups. Therefore, Sony offers a broader telephoto range beneficial for wildlife and sports where subject distance is large.

Optical image stabilization is implemented in both to steady handheld shots, crucial given the extended zooms. Canon’s and Sony’s systems deliver effective stabilization, but some reviewers and field trials note Sony's slightly superior performance, particularly at max zoom.

For casual macro photographers, Canon’s closer minimum focus distance is appealing, though Sony’s zoom scale better suits telephoto needs.

Flash Performance and Exposure Control

Flashes and exposure adjustments significantly influence indoor and low-light shooting.

Canon’s built-in flash reaches approximately 3.1 meters with standard flash modes including Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, and Slow Syncro.

Sony’s HX10V offers a stronger flash output extending to about 5.3 meters, giving better reach for larger rooms or groups. Available modes are similar but lack red-eye reduction.

Regarding exposure controls, Sony grants manual exposure modes with selectable shutter speeds between 30 to 1/1600 sec, plus exposure compensation capabilities. Canon offers neither shutter/aperture priority nor manual exposure modes, aligning its target user base toward automated shooting.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Formats

For photographers increasingly integrating video workflows, video functionality matters significantly.

Both models shoot Full HD 1080p video but with notable frame rate and codec differences:

• Canon ELPH 510 HS records 1920×1080 at 24 fps using H.264 codec, offering cinematic frame rate but lacking 60p availability; optional lower resolution 720p and VGA modes with higher frame rates for slow motion exist.

• Sony HX10V provides 1080p video at 60 fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4, enabling smoother playback and slow-motion flexibility. Additional 1440×1080 30 fps mode and standard VGA resolutions are supported.

Neither camera offers external microphone jacks, limiting professional audio capture options - a common omission in compacts of this era.

Additionally, both cameras include optical stabilization functioning in video mode to reduce handheld shake, with Sony's BIONZ processor aiding smoother encoding.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery endurance impacts usability during travel or extended shoots.

The Sony HX10V touts approximately 320 shots per charge on the NP-BG1 battery model, substantially higher than Canon’s unspecified figure but generally rated lower due to smaller NB-9L battery capacity.

This situates Sony as the preferred choice for longer outings without frequent battery swaps or external power sources.

Both cameras use single SD/SDHC/SDXC slots for storage. Sony additionally supports Memory Stick Duo formats, broadening compatibility for legacy accessories.

Connectivity and Extras

Wireless features cater to modern workflows but note both cameras date from 2012, predating ubiquitous Wi-Fi.

Both integrate Eye-Fi connectivity, allowing compatible SD cards to enable wireless transfers, though neither offers native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The Sony HX10V adds a built-in GPS module - a unique asset enabling geotagging for travel photographers and journalists wanting easy location tracking.

Neither camera features NFC or touchscreen gestures beyond Canon’s touchscreen for focus.

Durability, Weather Resistance, and Build Quality

Neither camera offers formal environmental sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproof ratings. For rugged outdoor photographers, external protection accessories or a sturdier model would be necessary.

The well-constructed Sony HX10V affords a more robust feel with its bulkier grip housing, while Canon’s ELPH 510 HS emphasizes lightness over ruggedness.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

For the photography enthusiast, technology details intermingle with subjective handling and image quality under varied conditions. Here’s a discipline-by-discipline overview:

Portrait Photography

Both cameras provide face detection autofocus; Sony’s system benefits from higher resolution and slightly quicker AF. However, neither supports eye detection AF nor offers aperture priority for depth-of-field control, limiting bokeh creativity. Canon’s f/3.4 aperture at wide angle can yield soft background blur, but Sony’s longer zoom at 400mm benefits compressed perspective portraits from a distance.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range strongly impact landscape capture. Sony’s 18MP sensor provides finer detail rendering, though the small sensor limits dynamic range compared to larger APS-C or full-frame options. Neither camera has weather sealing, constraining harsh outdoor use. Canon’s 28mm wide angle is marginally narrower than Sony’s 24mm, slightly limiting field of view.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Sony’s faster continuous shooting at 10 fps combined with 16.7x zoom trump Canon’s 3 fps and 12x zoom for capturing action from afar. AF tracking in both cameras operates on contrast detection, with Sony’s nine AF points offering broader coverage.

Street Photography

Canon’s smaller size and lighter weight provide a discreet profile for candid street shooting, with less conspicuous flash. Sony’s superior zoom range helps distant capture but may call more attention. Neither have electronic viewfinders, so reliance on LCDs affects visibility in harsh sunlight.

Macro Photography

Canon’s 1cm macro minimum focusing distance allows extreme close-ups, outperforming Sony’s 5cm limit, making Canon the more capable dedicated macro shooter despite the small sensor.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras have limited long exposure capabilities (max shutter speeds: Canon 1/4000 to 15 sec, Sony 1/1600 to 30 sec). Sony supports higher max ISO 12800 vs Canon’s 3200, suggesting better low-light tolerance on paper. However, image noise from small sensors might limit usable quality. Neither supports bulb mode or RAW, which constrains astrophotography.

Video and Multimedia

Sony’s 1080p 60fps video exceeds Canon’s 24fps recording, offering smoother footage and creative slow motion. The availability of AVCHD format benefits playback quality and compression efficiency. Both lack external mic inputs.

Travel Photography

Canon’s smaller size and weight aid packing efficiency, while Sony’s expanded zoom range, GPS tagging, improved battery life, and sharper LCD afford added versatility for documenting trips.

Professional Work

Neither model is designed for professional image capture, with no RAW support and modest sensor sizes. Sony’s manual controls, higher resolution, and video options make it more flexible for semi-professional uses, yet both cameras are primarily consumer-grade.

Comprehensive Ratings and Summary of Strengths & Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Canon ELPH 510 HS if:

• You prioritize a pocketable, lightweight camera for casual shooting.
• Macro photography is a higher priority (due to 1cm focus).
• You want a touchscreen interface and simplicity without complex exposure controls.
• Your budget is constrained, seeking basic superzoom functionality under $250.
• You primarily shoot static subjects in ample light.

Opt for the Sony HX10V if:

• You desire superior zoom range with 16.7x optical reach.
• Burst rate and autofocus speed are critical (e.g., wildlife, sports).
• Video quality and smoothness at 1080p60fps is important.
• You value GPS geotagging for travel documentation.
• You want manual exposure controls for creative flexibility.
• Budget allows for paying triple the Canon’s launch price for enhanced features.

Conclusion: Practical Insights from Long-Term Testing

Having tested both cameras extensively, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V asserts itself as the more versatile and capable compact superzoom, excelling especially in action and video domains with its faster processing, elevated resolution, and longer zoom. However, this comes at the cost of higher weight, price, and no touchscreen control.

Meanwhile, the Canon ELPH 510 HS embodies straightforward point-and-shoot convenience with remarkably close macro capabilities heightening its appeal to beginners and casual users valuing small size and simplicity.

From an expert perspective, neither camera competes with today’s mirrorless systems in sensor size or performance, yet each serves distinct niches within the compact superzoom segment - choice ultimately boils down to your priorities in zoom reach, shooting control, portability, and budget.

Sample Image Quality Comparison

For direct illustration, here are side-by-side samples under varying conditions demonstrating sharpness, color accuracy, and noise at equivalent focal lengths on both cameras.

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Sony HX10V front Sony HX10V screen back

In summary, investing in the Sony HX10V offers broader creative and performance latitude for enthusiasts willing to carry a slightly larger body and pay more, while the Canon ELPH 510 HS remains a savvy option for those embracing simplicity and extreme portability without sacrificing essential zoom versatility.

Your choice should align with how you balance ergonomic preferences, photographic demands, and budget constraints in your pursuit of compelling images across genres.