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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Pentax Efina front
Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina 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
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Alternative Name is IXUS 500 HS
Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Announced June 2013
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and Efina (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was launched 17 months prior to the Efina which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the ELPH 520 HS scores against the Efina in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Pentax Efina

 ELPH 520 HS Efina 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 Efina ELPH 520 HS 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2012Newer by 17 months

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Pentax Efina

 ELPH 520 HS Efina 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 520 HS offers outside measurements of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Pentax Efina has proportions of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") having a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs).

See the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the ELPH 520 HS compared to the Efina.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 520 HS and Efina is 96 and 97 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 520 HS and Efina.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax Efina to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged ELPH 520 HS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Efina Portrait photography highlights
26
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
MP count decent (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Street photography camera
Pentax Efina as a Street photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (155g)
64
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than average (91 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Sports photography details
Pentax Efina Sports photography details
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (190 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Travel photography info
Pentax Efina Travel photography info
58
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
long reach (336mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (190 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (155g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than average (91g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Efina Landscape photography highlights
35
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (190 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
38
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Efina as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (155g)
33
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than average (91g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Pentax Efina Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Pentax Efina
 Canon ELPH 520 HSPentax Efina
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon ELPH 520 HS Pentax Efina
Alternative name IXUS 500 HS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2012-01-09 2013-06-03
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-336mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 20cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech PureColor II G TFT LCD QVGA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 1/8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.50 m 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lbs) 91g (0.20 lbs)
Dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 200 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-9L D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $279 $10