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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 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
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Other Name is IXUS 500 HS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Sony W550, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and W550 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was released 6 months after the W550 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the ELPH 520 HS matches up against the W550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Sony W550

 ELPH 520 HS W550 
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 W550 ELPH 520 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Sony W550

 ELPH 520 HS W550 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2011Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon ELPH 520 HS enjoys physical dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Canon ELPH 520 HS versus Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the W550.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 520 HS and W550 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 520 HS and W550.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony W550 to offer more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography features
Sony W550 Portrait photography features
26
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than average (155g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon ELPH 520 HS
Sports photography with Sony W550
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (190 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Travel photography details
Sony W550 Travel photography details
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
great zoom (336mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery pack (190 shots)
more heavy than average (155 grams)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
65
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Landscape photography factors
Sony W550 Landscape photography factors
35
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery pack (190 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
42
really wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than average (155g)
29
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Sony W550
 Canon ELPH 520 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon ELPH 520 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Alternate name IXUS 500 HS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2011-07-24
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 5 BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
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 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology PureColor II G TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.50 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 grams (0.34 lb) 110 grams (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 -
Launch cost $279 $119