Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01
96 Imaging
34 Features
33 Overall
33


97 Imaging
33 Features
16 Overall
26
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2012
- Alternative Name is IXUS 500 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 96g - 77 x 52 x 17mm
- Released June 2013

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Overview
Lets examine more in depth at the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S01, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and the S01 (10MP) is fairly close but the ELPH 520 HS (1/2.3") and S01 (1/2.9") feature different sensor measurements.

The ELPH 520 HS was unveiled 17 months prior to the S01 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ELPH 520 HS matches up versus the S01 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon ELPH 520 HS & Nikon Coolpix S01. The full galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 520 HS Gallery & Nikon S01 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon S01
ELPH 520 HS | S01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S01 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS
S01 | ELPH 520 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Newer by 17 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S01
ELPH 520 HS | S01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS has external measurements of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Nikon S01 has measurements of 77mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 96 grams (0.21 lbs).
Check out the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S01 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the S01.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and S01 is 96 and 97 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 520 HS and S01.
Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The ELPH 520 HS offers the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The more aged ELPH 520 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S01 Specifications
Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S01 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S01 |
Alternate name | IXUS 500 HS | - |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2012-01-09 | 2013-06-21 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 5 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.9" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 4.96 x 3.72mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 18.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 29-87mm (3.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 7.3 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Resolution of display | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | PureColor II G TFT LCD | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 1s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 2.50 m | 1.20 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | - |
Mic 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 155 gr (0.34 lb) | 96 gr (0.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 77 x 52 x 17mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 life | 190 photographs | 190 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-9L | Built-in |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | - |
Card slots | Single | - |
Cost at launch | $279 | $170 |