Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SX150 IS

Cameras
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SX150 IS

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon ELPH 500 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the ELPH 500 HS.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
14.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX150 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX150 IS.

Succeeded by the Canon SX160
Compare SX150 IS vs SX160
Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SX160

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Differences

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Canon SX150 IS

Larger lens aperture
f/2.0 vs f/3.4
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Fast startup
~1.90 vs 2.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Thinner
25 mm vs 45 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
186g vs 312g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.49 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Faster JPEG shooting
1.6 fps vs 0.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SX150 IS advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

Less expensive
$250 vs $300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
More telephoto lens reach
336 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

320 vs 180 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
More pixels
14.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster shutter
1/2500 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Canon ELPH 500 HS

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Review Excerpt

Backlit sensor; High Resolution screen; Touchscreen interface; 24mm equivalent wide-angle zoom; Full HD video.
Below-average battery life; Touchscreen requires more pressure than cell phones; Zoom toggle difficult to use; Soft corners and moderate chromatic aberration.
Read our Canon ELPH 500 HS Express Review

Optically-stabilized 12x zoom lens, large 3" LCD screen, full PASM exposure control, super-close macro shooting, 1280x720p HD video recording, low price.
Slow performance, poor battery life (good with NiMH rechargeables, though), no HDMI output to connect to HDTV.
Read our Canon SX150 IS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD4000 IS

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Canon SD4000 IS

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$288
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD4000 IS

Canon SX150 IS

Canon SD4000 IS

$250
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$288
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon SX150 IS vs Canon SD4000 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX700

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Panasonic DMC-FX700

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$204
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

Canon SX150 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX700

$250
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$204
1/2.33 inch

Larger lens aperture
Fast startup

Compare Canon SX150 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

Compared to Canon SX130 IS

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Canon SX130 IS

$246
1/2.3 inch

Larger lens aperture
Fast startup

$149
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SX130 IS

Canon SX150 IS

Canon SX130 IS

$250
1/2.3 inch

More pixels

$149
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX150 IS vs Canon SX130 IS

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Olympus TG-1

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$400
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
Fast startup

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus TG-1

Canon SX150 IS

Olympus TG-1

$250
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$400
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Canon SX160

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Canon SX160

$246
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Larger lens aperture

$146
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SX160

Canon SX150 IS

Canon SX160

$250
1/2.3 inch

Higher extended ISO

$146
1/2.3 inch

More telephoto lens reach
HDMI out

Compare Canon SX150 IS vs Canon SX160

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