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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L32 front
Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 155g - 87 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 500 HS
Nikon L32
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 164g - 95 x 60 x 29mm
  • Announced January 2015
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon L32, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and L32 (20MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ELPH 520 HS was introduced 4 years earlier than the L32 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ELPH 520 HS scores against the L32 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon L32

 ELPH 520 HS L32 
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L32 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 L32 ELPH 520 HS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015January 2012Newer by 36 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon L32

 ELPH 520 HS L32 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS features physical dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Nikon L32 has measurements of 95mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon L32 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the ELPH 520 HS compared to the L32.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 520 HS and L32 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 520 HS and L32.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon L32 to offer extra detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged ELPH 520 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L32 Portrait photography highlights
26
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
38
good resolution (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Street photography with Nikon L32
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (155g)
56
has image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition (164 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Sports photography with Nikon L32
29
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (190 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
47
has image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (20MP)
great battery life (320 shots)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Travel photography with Nikon L32
58
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (336mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (190 CIPA)
heavier than others (155 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
71
great battery life (320 shots)
good resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (164g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L32 as a Landscape photography camera
35
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (190 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
48
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (20MP)
great battery life (320 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L32 Vlogging highlights
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic port
heavier than others (155 grams)
66
quite wide (26mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
more heavy than competition (164g)
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon L32 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon L32
 Canon ELPH 520 HSNikon Coolpix L32
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 520 HS Nikon Coolpix L32
Also Known as IXUS 500 HS -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 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 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech PureColor II G TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.50 m 4.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 gr (0.34 lb) 164 gr (0.36 lb)
Dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 95 x 60 x 29mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 320 images
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
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $279 $120