Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon ELPH 510 HS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon ELPH 520 HS and the Canon ELPH 510 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 520 HS was introduced in January 2012 and Canon ELPH 510 HS was introduced in March 2012. 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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon ELPH 520 HS over Canon ELPH 510 HS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon ELPH 510 HS over Canon ELPH 520 HS.

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.

Screen

Canon ELPH 520 HS has a 3.0" screen with 461k dot resolution and Canon ELPH 510 HS has a 3.20" screen with 461k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Canon ELPH 510 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 (available only on Canon ELPH 510 HS) 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.

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 28.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Canon ELPH 510 HS features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch [] 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.

Canon ELPH 520 HS has 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.

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. Canon ELPH 510 HS can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution.

Image Stabilization

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

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon ELPH 520 HS and Canon ELPH 510 HS come with NB-9L battery pack with battery life of 190 shots on Canon ELPH 520 HS.

External Storage Slots

Canon ELPH 520 HS has a single microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card slot. Canon ELPH 510 HS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Canon ELPH 520 HS, and up to 1/4000 sec on Canon ELPH 510 HS. Canon ELPH 520 HS can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps. Canon ELPH 510 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Flash

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

Canon ELPH 520 HS body has dimensions of 87 x 54 x 19 mm (3.43 x 2.13 x 0.75") and Canon ELPH 510 HS body has dimensions of 99 x 59 x 22 mm (3.9 x 2.32 x 0.87"). Canon ELPH 520 HS weighs 155 g (0.34 lb / 5.47 oz) and Canon ELPH 510 HS weighs 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz).

Canon ELPH 520 HS

Canon ELPH 510 HS

87 mm

54 mm

99 mm

59 mm

54 mm

59 mm