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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 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
  • Announced January 2012
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 500 HS
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Canon and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and PL170 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was revealed 13 months after the PL170 making them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the ELPH 520 HS scores against the PL170 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Samsung PL170

 ELPH 520 HS PL170 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2011Newer by 13 months
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 PL170 ELPH 520 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung PL170

 ELPH 520 HS PL170 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 520 HS features outer dimensions 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 PL170 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Examine the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ELPH 520 HS and the PL170.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and PL170 is 96 and 99 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The pic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 520 HS and PL170.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Samsung PL170 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer ELPH 520 HS will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Portrait photography camera
26
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Street photography factors
Samsung PL170 Street photography factors
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (155 grams)
50
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Sports photography info
Samsung PL170 Sports photography info
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (190 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
27
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Travel photography highlights
Samsung PL170 Travel photography highlights
58
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (336mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (190 per charge)
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
71
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery (190 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
39
great max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging info
Samsung PL170 Vlogging info
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (155g)
27
great max aperture (f)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Samsung PL170
 Canon ELPH 520 HSSamsung PL170
General Information
Brand Canon Samsung
Model type Canon ELPH 520 HS Samsung PL170
Also called as IXUS 500 HS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2012-01-09 2011-01-05
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-336mm (12.0x) ()
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology PureColor II G TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
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
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 grams (0.34 lb) -
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-9L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $279 $175