• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS
  • Canon PowerShot G15
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon G12
G12 vs G15
Successor:   Canon G16
G15 vs G16
General
Model Number: ELPH 500 HS G15
Alternate Model Number(s): IXUS 310 HS  
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $299.99 $499.99
Street Price: $246.05 $649.95
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.6 oz (186 g)
includes batteries
12.3 oz (350 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.0 x 2.2 x 1.0 in.
(101 x 55 x 25 mm)
4.2 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(107 x 76 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.90 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   46
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   19.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   165
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.6 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​6/​3/​1.5)
640x480 (30/​120/​6/​3/​1.5)
320x240 (30/​240)
1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 105mm 28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.3 - 18.8mm 6.1 - 30.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.40x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.0 (W) - f/5.8 (T) f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 3 - 50 cm
1.2 - 19.7 in
1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a Via optional lens adapter
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 922,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, ISO 80 to 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center) Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Movie Digest, Portrait, Kids & Pets, Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst, Best Image Selection, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Creative Light Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks Scene modes (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld NightScene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filters (High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE Lock, Smart Flash Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 - 16 ft. (50cm - 5.0m) (W), 1.6 - 6.6 ft. (50cm - 2.0m) (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T)
Max Flash Sync:   1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Wired
Connections (extended): Mini-HDMI Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type-C) HDMI, Remote Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.96 2.07
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   2.83
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   2.91
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.6 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   20
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.50 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.68 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.454 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.8 seconds 3.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 180 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   770 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary NB-10L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Canon HS system, 3.2" Touchscreen LCD, Full 1080p HD movies, HDMI output. Available in silver, brown and pink. Fast f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T) lens, DIGIC 5 processor, Intelligent Image Stabilization, improved AF performance, 10 fps High-Speed Burst mode, Full HD 1080p24 video, 58 scene Smart Auto, supports conversion lenses.