Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42
96 Imaging
34 Features
33 Overall
33


95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 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
- Launched January 2012
- Also referred to as IXUS 500 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Announced April 2009

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Here is a detailed review of the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the ELPH 520 HS (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") posses different sensor sizes.

The ELPH 520 HS was launched 2 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the ELPH 520 HS grades against the FS42 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon ELPH 520 HS Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Panasonic FS42
ELPH 520 HS | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | April 2009 | Fresher by 34 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS
FS42 | ELPH 520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Panasonic FS42
ELPH 520 HS | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon ELPH 520 HS enjoys physical dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Examine the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the FS42.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and FS42 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 520 HS and FS42.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The ELPH 520 HS comes with the bigger sensor which will make obtaining bokeh less difficult. The newer ELPH 520 HS provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Canon ELPH 520 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon ELPH 520 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Other name | IXUS 500 HS | - |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2012-01-09 | 2009-04-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 5 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1000 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II G TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 2.50 m | 6.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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) | 132g (0.29 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-9L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $279 | $580 |