Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70
96 Imaging
34 Features
33 Overall
33


95 Imaging
34 Features
26 Overall
30
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 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
- Launched January 2012
- Alternative Name is IXUS 500 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
- 160g - 97 x 61 x 20mm
- Released August 2009

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon S70, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and the S70 (12MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The ELPH 520 HS was revealed 2 years after the S70 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ELPH 520 HS grades against the S70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon Coolpix S70. The full galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 520 HS Gallery and Nikon S70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Nikon S70
ELPH 520 HS | S70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 30 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 288k | Crisper display (+173k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S70 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS
S70 | ELPH 520 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Nikon S70
ELPH 520 HS | S70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon ELPH 520 HS features outside dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Nikon S70 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).
See the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Nikon S70 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the S70.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and S70 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The image underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 520 HS and S70.
Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon S70 to deliver more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern ELPH 520 HS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Nikon S70 Specifications
Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon ELPH 520 HS | Nikon Coolpix S70 |
Otherwise known as | IXUS 500 HS | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2012-01-09 | 2009-08-04 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 5 | Expeed |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.9-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3.5" |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 288k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | PureColor II G TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 2.50 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 155g (0.34 lb) | 160g (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 97 x 61 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" 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 photos | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-9L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $279 | $290 |