• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Nikon AW130

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon AW130 advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

User reviews

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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

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

Nikon AW130
Canon SD4000 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW130 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

Nikon AW130
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

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

Nikon AW130
Olympus TG-1
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Nikon AW120

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Nikon AW120
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon AW120

Nikon AW130
Nikon AW120
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120

Compared to Nikon W300

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Nikon W300
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon W300

Nikon AW130
Nikon W300
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Nikon W300

Compare Other Cameras?