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Overview
In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon ELPH 500 HS and the Canon ELPH 300 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.
Both cameras were introduced in February 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.
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 500 HS and Canon ELPH 300 HS.
PROS
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
Video Capture
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Touch-to-Focus
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Touch Screen
Large Screen - 3.20"
Built-in Flash
Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
Video Capture
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
CONS
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 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) - 1/1600 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 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 - 180 shots
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
9 Focus Points
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 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 - 220 shots
And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:
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 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
Video Capture
High Native ISO
3,200
3,200
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
Light
185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
WEAKNESSES
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
Small Sensor
1/2.3-inch
1/2.3-inch
Low Resolution Sensor
12.1 Megapixel
12.1 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
Few Focus Points
9
9
Screen Type
Fixed
Fixed
Low Resolution Screen
461k dot
230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)
1/1600 sec
1/2000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting
3.0 fps
3.0 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Low Video Resolution
1920 x 1080
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
180 shots
220 shots
Screen
Screen
Canon ELPH 500 HS has a 3.20" screen with 461k dot resolution and Canon ELPH 300 HS has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Canon ELPH 500 HS also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.
Sensor
Both models feature a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch [] sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Their native ISO range is 100 - 3,200
Photography Features
Cameras are equipped with DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution.
Image Stabilization
The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.
Connectivity, Battery and Storage
USB Inputs
Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.
Battery
Canon ELPH 500 HS comes with NB-6L battery pack with battery life of 180 shots and Canon ELPH 300 HS comes with NB-4L battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.
External Storage Slots
Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.
Other Features
Shutter
Shutter speed can go up to 1/1600 sec on Canon ELPH 500 HS, and up to 1/2000 sec on Canon ELPH 300 HS. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.
Flash
Cameras have built-in flash..
Physical Parameters
Canon ELPH 500 HS body has dimensions of 101 x 56 x 25 mm (3.98 x 2.2 x 0.98") and Canon ELPH 300 HS body has dimensions of 92 x 56 x 20 mm (3.62 x 2.2 x 0.79"). Canon ELPH 500 HS weighs 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz) and Canon ELPH 300 HS weighs 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz).
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
101 mm
56 mm
92 mm
56 mm
56 mm
56 mm
Size comparisons of Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon ELPH 300 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 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
AVERAGE
55
Small Sensor
Touch Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
POOR
47
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Sports Photography
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
AVERAGE
68
3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Touch-to-Focus
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Touch Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
Short Battery Life - 180 shots
AVERAGE
69
3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
Short Battery Life - 220 shots
Wildlife Photography
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
AVERAGE
65
3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Touch-to-Focus
Image Stabilization
Touch Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 180 shots
AVERAGE
66
3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 220 shots
Portrait Photography
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
GOOD
75
Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Touch-to-Focus
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Touch Screen
Large Screen - 3.20"
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No External Flash Connectivity
AVERAGE
68
Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 2.70"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No External Flash Connectivity
Street Photography
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
EXCELLENT
85
Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Touch-to-Focus
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Touch Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
GOOD
83
Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
Travel Photography
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
EXCELLENT
87
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Touch Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
Short Battery Life - 180 shots
EXCELLENT
87
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
Short Battery Life - 220 shots
Evaluations
We evaluate Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon ELPH 300 HS and give them scores of 55 and 50 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 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
OVERALL
55
OVERALL
50
Sensor
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
POOR
45
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
100 Lowest Native ISO
3,200 Highest Native ISO
POOR
45
Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
100 Lowest Native ISO
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Photo
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
AVERAGE
58
Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
AVERAGE
59
Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Video
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
POOR
46
Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
POOR
46
Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
Focusing
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
GOOD
72
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Touch-to-Focus
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
AVERAGE
66
9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Screen and Viewfinder
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
GOOD
72
Fixed Screen
Touch Screen
Large Screen - 3.20"
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
POOR
50
Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 2.70"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Connectivity
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
POOR
46
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
BAD
38
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 500 HS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
POOR
44
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 185 g (0.41 lb / 6.53 oz)
Short Battery Life - 180 shots
POOR
45
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
Short Battery Life - 220 shots
For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:
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