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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
27
Overall
34

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 155g - 87 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 500 HS
Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced January 2015
Photography Glossary

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon L31, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and L31 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was launched 4 years before the L31 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the ELPH 520 HS grades vs the L31 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon L31

 ELPH 520 HS L31 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 L31 ELPH 520 HS 
IntroducedJanuary 2015January 2012Fresher by 36 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon L31

 ELPH 520 HS L31 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS features exterior measurements of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Nikon L31 has measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon L31 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the ELPH 520 HS compared to the L31.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 520 HS and L31 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ELPH 520 HS and L31.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon L31 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The older ELPH 520 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography features
Nikon L31 Portrait photography features
26
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L31 as a Street photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than average (155 grams)
55
image stabilization (Digital)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others in class (160g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Sports photography advice
Nikon L31 Sports photography advice
29
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (190 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L31 as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (336mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery power (190 shots)
more heavy than average (155g)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (160 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Landscape photography information
Nikon L31 Landscape photography information
35
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery power (190 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
39
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging details
Nikon L31 Vlogging details
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
more heavy than average (155 grams)
65
pretty wide (26mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Digital)
features face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (160 grams)
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon L31
 Canon ELPH 520 HSNikon Coolpix L31
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 520 HS Nikon Coolpix L31
Otherwise known as IXUS 500 HS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2015-01-14
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II G TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.50 m 3.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 grams (0.34 lbs) 160 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 life 190 pictures 200 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-9L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $279 $0