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Canon ELPH 500 HS

 
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-105mm (F2.0-5.8) lens
  • 185g - 101 x 56 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon ELPH 500 HS overview

Canon ELPH 500 HS is Canon's Small Sensor Compact digital camera originally introduced on February of 2011. It features a 12 MegaPixel, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a peak resolution of 4000 x 3000. The camera is referred to as "IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S" in certain regions.

The ELPH 500 HS ranks at #70 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and all-around #844 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. You can try our Smart camera filter to see camera listings based on your personal requirements.

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Here is a chart of specific criteria used in the scoring system.

Canon ELPH 500 HS history

The Canon ELPH 500 HS comes with a history of related cameras. Listed below, you can view all older and the latest models alongside main specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Canon-PowerShot-ELPH-330-HS front thumbnailCanon ELPH 330 HS
ELPH 500 HS vs ELPH 330 HS
24-240mm
F3.0-6.9
12MP1/2.3"2013
Canon-ELPH-510-HS front thumbnailCanon ELPH 510 HS
ELPH 500 HS vs ELPH 510 HS
28-336mm
F3.4-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2012
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Canon-PowerShot-ELPH-530-HS front thumbnailCanon ELPH 530 HS
ELPH 500 HS vs ELPH 530 HS
28-336mm
F3.4-5.6
10MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-ELPH-500-HS front thumbnailCanon ELPH 500 HS24-105mm
F2.0-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2011

Canon ELPH 500 HS Pros and Cons

Here is a collection of pluses and minuses of the Canon ELPH 500 HS based on factors that are usually seen as essential in a digital camera.

built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
comes with HDMI port
decent sized screen (3.2")
features touch to focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has built in flash
in built lens has zoom (24-105mm 4.4 x zoom)
rather wide (24mm)
touch screen
very good max aperture (f2.0)
very good min ISO (100)
lack of external microphone port
lack of headphone port
lack of Timelapse recording
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low battery power (180 shots)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
manual mode not possible
max zoom aperture not good (f5.8)
no external flash support
no manual focus
no phase detect auto focus
no RAW support
pixelated screen (461 k dot)
screen is fixed
screen is not selfie friendly
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Canon ELPH 500 HS Sensor specs

The Canon ELPH 500 HS is run by the DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor. The size of the sensor in the Canon ELPH 500 HS is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to resolve 4000 x 3000 pixels using aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Optical). Sensor stabilization is superior than digital stabilization as the latter can easily cause cropping.

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The BSI-CMOS sensor boasts 12 megapixels and includes a standard ISO range of 100 - 3200. Sadly, RAW files are not supported therefore you have less margin for error.

The image below illustrates the ELPH 500 HS's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The ELPH 500 HS sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is showcased in green.

Canon ELPH 500 HS sensor size Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

To get an idea of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Canon ELPH 500 HS dimensions

Canon ELPH 500 HS has a weight of 0.41 lbs (185 gr or 6.53 ounces) and features external measurements of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0"). The weight of general Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 gr so the Canon ELPH 500 HS is very similar as compared with various rivals.

Photography Glossary

Listed below is a photo of the Canon ELPH 500 HS beside a softdrink so you can have a feel for its size.

Canon ELPH 500 HS dimensions scale

The top view below will show the button design on the ELPH 500 HS.

Canon ELPH 500 HS topview buttons dials

Canon ELPH 500 HS Lens details

The ELPH 500 HS comes with a built-in lens offering a focal range of 24-105mm giving it a 4.4 x zoom which is definitely not perfect nevertheless it might be useful in certain situations.

At it's widest 24mm, the lens provides an aperture of f2.0 making it fantastic in low light occasions and capturing good bokeh. It will also let you use a much lower ISO to produce better photos. On the long end, 105mm comes at f5.8 making it really sluggish and you may have to use slower shutter speeds.

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Canon ELPH 500 HS Connectivity

The ELPH 500 HS has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras that contain NFC or Bluetooth support are able to be used wirelessly by smartphones. You can copy images and sometimes change settings without connecting directly with the camera.

Certain apps also enable a Liveview and press the shutter whenever you aren't close to the camera. If the camera has a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external screen. Virtually all cameras will allow you to charge the battery through the USB port.

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Canon ELPH 500 HS Video details

The highest video resolution in the Canon ELPH 500 HS is 1920 x 1080 and it can record in H.264 file format. 1080p resolution gives a great balance between video quality vs file size but FULL HD won't give you much room to downsample. The body doesn't include a mic or headphone socket which means that you have got absolutely no control over your sound. It is probably a better idea to get an alternative camera if you want decent sound in your videos.

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Canon ELPH 500 HS Weather Sealing

Canon ELPH 500 HS doesn't have weather proofing so rainy conditions might ruin the camera.

Canon ELPH 500 HS Screen and Viewfinder

The Canon ELPH 500 HS features a 3.2" fixed screen having a resolution of 461k dots.

Moreover the screen is touch friendly which means you can easily change focus point plus change settings using your fingers.

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The View Finder specifications regarding Canon ELPH 500 HS are below:

  • ViewFinder None

In those bright outdoor situations that make the camera screens washed out and hard to view, viewfinders can be pretty useful.

Canon ELPH 500 HS Shutter details

Canon ELPH 500 HS is able to shoot continuously at 3.0 frames per second. The highest shutter speed is 1/1600s.

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Canon ELPH 500 HS Flash and Hot shoe details

Canon ELPH 500 HS has got just in-built flash without external flash ability.

Canon ELPH 500 HS Autofocusing details

Canon ELPH 500 HS has got only Contrast Based AF and lacks Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot faster and precise as compared to Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera features Face detection which can be valuable for taking portraits of people.

The AF system features 9 focus points to pick from. Canon ELPH 500 HS has touch to focus. You are able to use your fingers in order to change where you focus. Canon ELPH 500 HS does not have manual focusing. Manual focusing ability is good during low light or you want more exact depth of field control.

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Canon ELPH 500 HS Battery life

The battery power (NB-6L) for the Canon ELPH 500 HS is fashioned to last for 180 pictures based on the CIPA benchmarks making it lesser in comparison with its rivals. The typical Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 comes with the highest (470) battery life within this group of cameras.

Listed below is a list of Small Sensor Compact cameras having the best battery life:

Canon ELPH 500 HS for varying categories of photography

The following chart indicates a analysis of the Canon ELPH 500 HS for varying categories of photography. To understand more, go to the specific paragraph below.

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Portrait photography camera

The Canon ELPH 500 HS has a points total of 26 which is lousy, meaning that it is not really appropriate to use for portraits. Taking portrait photos leans heavily to sensor specs, support for RAW photos and ability to use external lighting.

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comes with face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography highlights

Getting a very good score of 62, the Canon ELPH 500 HS is a very decent choice for street photography. A good street photography camera comes with a good balance of image quality and portability.

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image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format

Sports photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS

A lousy sports photography rating of 25 suggests the Canon ELPH 500 HS is not really appropriate for taking photos of sports. A camera must have fantastic focusing and shutter speeds for sports photography.

Photography Glossary
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (180 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus

Travel photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS

Portability is very critical in choosing a camera for travel. Over-all, the Canon ELPH 500 HS gets a very good 64 for a travelling camera which makes it a very decent pick to buy for your journeys.

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offers focus via touch
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery (180 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly

Canon ELPH 500 HS Landscape photography information

When you're looking to buy a digital camera for landscape photography, the most important factor is going to be image quality. The Canon ELPH 500 HS and it's lousy score of 40 for a landscape camera is not really appropriate within the current marketplace.

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really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery pack (180 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode

Canon ELPH 500 HS Vlogging advice

A vlogging camera should offer a articulating display, microphone input and ideally image stabilization. Taking all things in to account, the Canon ELPH 500 HS is not really appropriate as a vlog camera as it gets a lousy score of 37.

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quite wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket

Canon ELPH 500 HS Alternatives

If you are trying to find replacements to the ELPH 500 HS, below is a range of the top ranked cameras that fall in to the category of Small Sensor Compact.

The graph below provides you an overview of the ELPH 500 HS compared to it's top scored rivals listed earlier.

These are some more cameras you may regard as alternatives. To review a complete comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Canon
Model type
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Also Known as
IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Type
Small Sensor Compact
Announced
2011-02-07
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
BSI-CMOS
Powered by
DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW support
Maximum native ISO
3200
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
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
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens support
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
24-105mm (4.4x)
Maximum aperture
f/2.0-5.8
Macro focusing range
3cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Range of screen
Fixed Type
Screen size
3.2"
Screen resolution
461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech
PureColor II Touch TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
15s
Highest shutter speed
1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed
3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance
5.00 m
Flash settings
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution
1920x1080
Video data format
H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions
101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0")
Other
Battery life
180 shots
Battery form
Battery Pack
Battery ID
NB-6L
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media
SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Storage slots
One
Launch price
$175