Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS vs Canon ELPH 510 HS

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS
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      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 PowerShot ELPH 170 IS 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 PowerShot ELPH 170 IS was introduced in January 2015 and Canon ELPH 510 HS was introduced in March 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Highlights

      • 20 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.70" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon ELPH 510 HS Highlights

      • 12.1 MP 1/2.3-inch Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.20" 461k dot Fixed Screen
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
      4. Advantage of Canon ELPH 510 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 PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Canon ELPH 510 HS.

      PROS

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   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 - 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz)

      CONS

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      •   Small Sensor
      •   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 - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   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 - 200 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   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


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

      AVERAGE

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon 170 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS over Canon ELPH 510 HS.

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS vs Canon ELPH 510 HS
      Higher Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixel vs 12.1 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 5152 x 3864 vs 4000 x 3000
      Reaches Wider Angle 25 mm vs 28 mm
      Lighter 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz) vs 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS.

      Canon ELPH 330 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 190 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 180
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      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon 360 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon ELPH 130 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon ELPH 115 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Canon 350 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.2 MP

      Canon ELPH 160
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      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 530 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 300 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 310 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 340 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Advantage of Canon ELPH 510 HS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon ELPH 510 HS over Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS.

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS vs Canon ELPH 510 HS
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 3,200
      Touch-to-Focus vs
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Reachs More Telephoto 300 mm vs 336 mm
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.6 vs f/3.4
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/7.0 vs f/5.9
      Touch Screen vs
      Larger Screen 2.70" vs 3.20"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 461k dot
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 0.8 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 1920 x 1080
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon ELPH 510 HS.

      Canon ELPH 135
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon 360 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon 350 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.2 MP

      Canon ELPH 310 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 530 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 160
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      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 180
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      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 150 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.0 MP

      Canon ELPH 300 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 330 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 520 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 500 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 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 PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Canon ELPH 510 HS
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO1,6003,200
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Light141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Canon ELPH 510 HS
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot461k dot
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Continuous Shooting0.8 fps3.0 fps
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201920 x 1080
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen

      Screen

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS has a 2.70" screen with 230k 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.

      Sensor

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS features a 20 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600. 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.

      Photography Features

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4+ processor and can take pictures up to 5152 x 3864 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5152 x 2896 (16:9), 3648 x 2736, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 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.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

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


      Battery

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS comes with NB-11L/LH battery pack with battery life of 200 shots and Canon ELPH 510 HS comes with NB-9L battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS, and up to 1/4000 sec on Canon ELPH 510 HS. Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps. Canon ELPH 510 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4.00 m on Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS..

      Physical Parameters

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS body has dimensions of 100 x 58 x 23 mm (3.94 x 2.28 x 0.91") and Canon ELPH 510 HS body has dimensions of 99 x 59 x 22 mm (3.9 x 2.32 x 0.87"). Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS weighs 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz) and Canon ELPH 510 HS weighs 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz).

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      100 mm

      58 mm

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      99 mm

      59 mm

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      58 mm

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      59 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Canon ELPH 510 HS

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Canon ELPH 510 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 PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      GOOD
      71
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      78
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   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

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      GOOD
      71
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      74
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   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

      Portrait Photography

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      GOOD
      71
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      78
      •   Small Sensor
      •   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

      Street Photography

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      GOOD
      84
      •   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)
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Small Sensor
      •   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 - 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   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 - 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Canon ELPH 510 HS and give them scores of 51 and 58 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 PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      OVERALL
      51
      OVERALL
      58

      Sensor

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 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 - 3.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      82
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      POOR
      50
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      GOOD
      72
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.20"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      46
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon ELPH 510 HS

      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      POOR
      54
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 206 g (0.45 lb / 7.27 oz)


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

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