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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Samsung CL5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 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
  • Launched January 2012
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 500 HS
Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Also Known as PL10
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung CL5, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Samsung. The image resolution of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and the CL5 (9MP) is very comparable but the ELPH 520 HS (1/2.3") and CL5 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor size.

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The ELPH 520 HS was announced 2 years later than the CL5 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ELPH 520 HS grades vs the CL5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Samsung CL5

 ELPH 520 HS CL5 
IntroducedJanuary 2012February 2009Fresher by 35 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 CL5 ELPH 520 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung CL5

 ELPH 520 HS CL5 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you should factor 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") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Samsung CL5 has dimensions of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung CL5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the ELPH 520 HS compared to the CL5.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 520 HS and CL5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The graphic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 520 HS and CL5.

All in all, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ELPH 520 HS with its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon ELPH 520 HS will provide extra detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The younger ELPH 520 HS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Portrait photography with Samsung CL5
26
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
24
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Street photography information
Samsung CL5 Street photography information
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition (155 grams)
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Sports photography highlights
Samsung CL5 Sports photography highlights
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (190 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Travel photography info
Samsung CL5 Travel photography info
58
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (336mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (190 per charge)
heavier than competition (155g)
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Landscape photography factors
Samsung CL5 Landscape photography factors
35
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery pack (190 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Vlogging with Samsung CL5
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competition (155g)
25
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung CL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung CL5
 Canon ELPH 520 HSSamsung CL5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Samsung
Model Canon ELPH 520 HS Samsung CL5
Also called as IXUS 500 HS PL10
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2012-01-09 2009-02-23
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixels 9 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.5-4.5
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech PureColor II G TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.50 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155g (0.34 lb) 141g (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $279 $391