Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120
96 Imaging
34 Features
33 Overall
33


99 Imaging
37 Features
20 Overall
30
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 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)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 0 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- ()mm (F) lens
- n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
- Revealed January 2011

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Overview
Below, we are reviewing the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Samsung. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and PL120 (14MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The ELPH 520 HS was revealed 13 months later than the PL120 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ELPH 520 HS scores against the PL120 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon ELPH 520 HS & Samsung PL120. The full galleries are provided at Canon ELPH 520 HS Gallery & Samsung PL120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Samsung PL120
ELPH 520 HS | PL120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 13 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS
PL120 | ELPH 520 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung PL120
ELPH 520 HS | PL120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon ELPH 520 HS provides external 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 Samsung PL120 has specifications of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).
Contrast the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the ELPH 520 HS and the PL120.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 520 HS and PL120 is 96 and 99 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The graphic here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 520 HS and PL120.
All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Samsung PL120 to give you more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent ELPH 520 HS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL120 Specifications
Canon ELPH 520 HS | Samsung PL120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Samsung |
Model | Canon ELPH 520 HS | Samsung PL120 |
Also called as | IXUS 500 HS | - |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2012-01-09 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 5 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | - |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | () |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II G TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 2.50 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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 |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 155 grams (0.34 pounds) | - |
Dimensions | 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" 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 photographs | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-9L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | - |
Storage slots | 1 | - |
Price at launch | $279 | $150 |