Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230
96 Imaging
34 Features
33 Overall
33
![Canon ELPH 520 HS front Canon ELPH 520 HS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-ELPH-520-HS/Canon-ELPH-520-HS-front.jpg)
![Nikon Coolpix S230 front Nikon Coolpix S230 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-Coolpix-S230/Nikon-S230-front.jpg)
96 Imaging
33 Features
21 Overall
28
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 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
- Revealed January 2012
- Additionally referred to as IXUS 500 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2000
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
- Revealed February 2009
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon S230, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and the S230 (10MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
The ELPH 520 HS was manufactured 2 years later than the S230 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the ELPH 520 HS matches up against the S230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon ELPH 520 HS & Nikon Coolpix S230. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 520 HS Gallery & Nikon S230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon S230
ELPH 520 HS | S230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 36 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS
S230 | ELPH 520 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S230
ELPH 520 HS | S230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS features outer 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 S230 has measurements of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs).
Check the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon S230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the S230.
![Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 size comparison Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-ELPH-520-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-S230-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 520 HS and S230 is 96 and 96 respectively.
![Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 top view buttons comparison Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-ELPH-520-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-S230-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ELPH 520 HS and S230.
As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution so you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you might want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The newer ELPH 520 HS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
![Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 sensor size comparison Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-ELPH-520-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-S230-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-ELPH-520-HS-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-S230-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S230 Specifications
Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S230 |
Also Known as | IXUS 500 HS | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2012-01-09 | 2009-02-03 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 5 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 2000 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 35-105mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II G TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 11.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 2.50 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 155 grams (0.34 pounds) | 115 grams (0.25 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
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 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-9L | EN-EL10 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (3 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $279 | $150 |