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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 520 HS
(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
Panasonic FS42
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Panasonic FS42

 ELPH 520 HS FS42 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012April 2009Fresher by 34 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
26
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Street photography information
Panasonic FS42 Street photography information
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (190 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
16
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (336mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery life (190 shots)
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (190 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging details
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging details
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Panasonic FS42
 Canon ELPH 520 HSPanasonic 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