Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02
96 Imaging
34 Features
33 Overall
33


97 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2012
- Additionally Known as IXUS 500 HS
(Full Review)
- 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 1600
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 100g - 77 x 51 x 18mm
- Introduced September 2013

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Overview
Here is a in-depth review of the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon S02, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and S02 (13MP) and the ELPH 520 HS (1/2.3") and S02 (1/3") boast totally different sensor size.

The ELPH 520 HS was manufactured 20 months prior to the S02 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before delving into a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the ELPH 520 HS grades against the S02 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon ELPH 520 HS & Nikon Coolpix S02. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 520 HS Gallery & Nikon S02 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon S02
ELPH 520 HS | S02 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S02 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS
S02 | ELPH 520 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 20 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S02
ELPH 520 HS | S02 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS comes with exterior dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Nikon S02 has dimensions of 77mm x 51mm x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 100 grams (0.22 lbs).
Examine the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon S02 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the ELPH 520 HS versus the S02.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 520 HS and S02 is 96 and 97 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 520 HS and S02.
Clearly, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ELPH 520 HS due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon S02 will provide you with greater detail due to its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older ELPH 520 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S02 Specifications
Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S02 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S02 |
Also Known as | IXUS 500 HS | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Released | 2012-01-09 | 2013-09-05 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 5 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4160 x 3120 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
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 detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 30-90mm (3.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II G TFT LCD | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | - |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 2.50 m | 1.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps); High-speed: 1920 x 1080 (15 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 155g (0.34 lb) | 100g (0.22 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 77 x 51 x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 pictures | 210 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-9L | Built-in |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | - |
Card slots | 1 | - |
Launch cost | $279 | $177 |