Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S6500

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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon S6500

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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
16.0 megapixels
25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon S6500 Review.

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Differences

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Nikon S6500

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/3.1
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
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

180 vs 150 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Longer exposure
15 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon S6500 advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

Less expensive
$220 vs $300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More telephoto lens reach
300 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away
More pixels
16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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

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
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 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon ELPH 500 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S6500

Nikon S6500

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

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon S6500.
Read our Nikon S6500 Preview

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 S6500

Canon SD4000 IS

$400
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$288
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S6500 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 S6500

Panasonic DMC-FX700

$400
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$204
1/2.33 inch

Larger lens aperture
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S6500 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 S6500

Olympus TG-1

$400
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$400
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Samsung WB50F

$246
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Larger lens aperture

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Samsung WB50F

Nikon S6500

Samsung WB50F

$400
1/2.3 inch

HDMI out
Shoots 1080p video

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Samsung WB50F

Compared to Samsung WB35F

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Samsung WB35F

$246
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Larger lens aperture

$399
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Samsung WB35F

Nikon S6500

Samsung WB35F

$400
1/2.3 inch

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$399
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Samsung WB35F

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