Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Canon ELPH 520 HS

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS
      58
      Image cannot be found
      59
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon ELPH 310 HS and the Canon ELPH 520 HS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon ELPH 310 HS was introduced in August 2011 and Canon ELPH 520 HS was introduced in January 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon ELPH 310 HS Highlights

      • 12.1 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
      • 3.4 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon ELPH 520 HS Highlights

      • 10.1 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon ELPH 310 HS
      4. Advantage of Canon ELPH 520 HS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon ELPH 310 HS and Canon ELPH 520 HS.

      PROS

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      •   Video Capture
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.4 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 210 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 190 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec

      Advantage of Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 310 HS
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon ELPH 310 HS over Canon ELPH 520 HS.

      Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Canon ELPH 520 HS
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixel vs 10.1 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 vs 3648 x 2736
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.0 vs f/3.4
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.4 fps vs 2.8 fps
      Lighter 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz) vs 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 210 shots vs 190 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon ELPH 310 HS.

      Canon ELPH 160
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 140 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Canon ELPH 340 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon 190 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 510 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 115 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Canon 360 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon ELPH 530 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 100 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 170 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 130 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon ELPH 135
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Advantage of Canon ELPH 520 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon ELPH 520 HS over Canon ELPH 310 HS.

      Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Canon ELPH 520 HS
      Reachs More Telephoto 224 mm vs 336 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 8x vs 12x
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/5.9 vs f/5.6
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon ELPH 520 HS.

      Canon 360 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon ELPH 530 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 160
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 330 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 115 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Canon ELPH 130 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon ELPH 180
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon 190 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 510 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 500 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 100 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 340 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon ELPH 310 HS Canon ELPH 520 HS
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO3,2003,200
        Face Detection
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini
        Light140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz)
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon ELPH 310 HS Canon ELPH 520 HS
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor12.1 Megapixel10.1 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points99
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen461k dot461k dot
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.4 fps2.8 fps
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life210 shots190 shots

      Screen

      Screen

      Canon ELPH 310 HS and Canon ELPH 520 HS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 461k dot resolution.

      Sensor

      BSI-CMOS Sensor

      Canon ELPH 310 HS features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Canon ELPH 520 HS features a 10.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

      The cameras have BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

      Photography Features

      Canon ELPH 310 HS can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 2664, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1200 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon ELPH 520 HS is equipped with DIGIC 5 processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2048, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2736 x 2736, 2192 x 2736, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1064, 1696 x 2112, 1200 x 1200, 960 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480, 384 x 480, 320 x 240 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Canon ELPH 310 HS has an HDMI and Canon ELPH 520 HS has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon ELPH 310 HS comes with NB-4L battery pack with battery life of 210 shots and Canon ELPH 520 HS comes with NB-9L battery pack with battery life of 190 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon ELPH 310 HS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Canon ELPH 520 HS has a single microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Canon ELPH 310 HS, and up to 1/4000 sec on Canon ELPH 520 HS. Canon ELPH 310 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.4 fps. Canon ELPH 520 HS can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4.00 m on Canon ELPH 310 HS and 2.50 m on Canon ELPH 520 HS..

      Physical Parameters

      Canon ELPH 310 HS body has dimensions of 96 x 57 x 22 mm (3.78 x 2.24 x 0.87") and Canon ELPH 520 HS body has dimensions of 87 x 54 x 19 mm (3.43 x 2.13 x 0.75"). Canon ELPH 310 HS weighs 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz) and Canon ELPH 520 HS weighs 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz).

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      96 mm

      57 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      87 mm

      54 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      57 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      54 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Canon ELPH 310 HS and Canon ELPH 520 HS

      Canon ELPH 310 HS and Canon ELPH 520 HS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.4 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 210 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 190 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.4 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 210 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 190 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 210 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 190 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon ELPH 310 HS and Canon ELPH 520 HS and give them scores of 58 and 59 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      59

      Sensor

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.4 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon ELPH 310 HS

      Canon ELPH 520 HS

      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 140 g (0.31 lb / 4.94 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 210 shots
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 190 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.