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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 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
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 500 HS
Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Revealed February 2011
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and S3100 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was brought out 12 months after the S3100 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ELPH 520 HS scores against the S3100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon S3100

 ELPH 520 HS S3100 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2011More modern by 12 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 S3100 ELPH 520 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S3100

 ELPH 520 HS S3100 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS offers outer dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Nikon S3100 has measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the S3100.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and S3100 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The picture underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 520 HS and S3100.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon S3100 to show more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger ELPH 520 HS will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography info
Nikon S3100 Portrait photography info
26
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
33
good resolution (14MP)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Street photography details
Nikon S3100 Street photography details
55
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than others in class (155 grams)
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S3100 Sports photography details
29
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (190 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
32
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Travel photography features
Nikon S3100 Travel photography features
58
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (336mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (190 CIPA)
heavier than others in class (155 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
65
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S3100 as a Landscape photography camera
35
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (190 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
33
fairly wide (26mm)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging info
Nikon S3100 Vlogging info
32
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
heavier than others in class (155 grams)
28
fairly wide (26mm)
features face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S3100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S3100
 Canon ELPH 520 HSNikon Coolpix S3100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon ELPH 520 HS Nikon Coolpix S3100
Otherwise known as IXUS 500 HS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2011-02-09
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 5 Expeed C2
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-336mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology PureColor II G TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.50 m 4.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 grams (0.34 pounds) 118 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" 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 220 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-9L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $279 $139