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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6400 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 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
  • Announced January 2012
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 500 HS
Nikon S6400
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 58 x 27mm
  • Launched August 2012
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and S6400 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was introduced 7 months prior to the S6400 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the ELPH 520 HS matches up against the S6400 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon S6400

 ELPH 520 HS S6400 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S6400 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 S6400 ELPH 520 HS 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 7 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S6400

 ELPH 520 HS S6400 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS has got physical measurements 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 S6400 has dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Compare the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the ELPH 520 HS and the S6400.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and S6400 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The visual underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 520 HS and S6400.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon S6400 to give you more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older ELPH 520 HS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S6400 Portrait photography highlights
26
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Street photography factors
Nikon S6400 Street photography factors
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (155 grams)
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competition (150g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S6400 as a Sports photography camera
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (190 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (160 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Travel photography details
Nikon S6400 Travel photography details
58
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (336mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery life (190 shots)
heavier than competition (155 grams)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
63
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (160 shots)
heavier than competition (150g)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Landscape photography features
Nikon S6400 Landscape photography features
35
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery life (190 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
42
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery pack (160 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging highlights
Nikon S6400 Vlogging highlights
32
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
heavier than competition (155 grams)
33
quite wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
heavier than competition (150g)
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S6400
 Canon ELPH 520 HSNikon Coolpix S6400
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon ELPH 520 HS Nikon Coolpix S6400
Also called as IXUS 500 HS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2012-01-09 2012-08-22
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 5 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology PureColor II G TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 150 grams (0.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 95 x 58 x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" 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 photographs 160 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-9L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $279 $500