• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX210 IS advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    392 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 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
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Canon SX210 IS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.1
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.90 vs 2.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

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.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung HZ35W

Canon SX210 IS
Samsung HZ35W
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less shutter lag
  • More pixels
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Samsung HZ35W
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SD4000 IS

Canon SX210 IS
Canon SD4000 IS
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
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

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX700

Canon SX210 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
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

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Canon SX210 IS
Panasonic ZS8
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Panasonic ZS8
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SX230 HS

Canon SX210 IS
Canon SX230 HS
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon SX230 HS
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
Compare Other Cameras?