• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Panasonic TS4

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic TS4 advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.7 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 Panasonic TS4

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.

  • Goes deeper than most cameras; Built-in GPS, altimeter, and barometer; Full HD video capability; Good battery life.

  • Won't serve as an "everywhere" camera; Lens soft at all but wide-angle setting; Button icons hard to read; Disappointing print quality.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS2

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic TS4
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus

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
Panasonic TS4
Canon SD4000 IS
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Slow-motion videos

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
Panasonic TS4
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More pixels

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
Panasonic TS4
Olympus TG-1
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic TS5

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Panasonic TS5
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic TS4
Panasonic TS5
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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