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Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)

Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)
Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)
alaScore 89

956 reviews

Nov, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 956 reviews of Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3). The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviews about the design and screen are overall positive. The size and performance are also appreciated, but views are divided on the glare. The low light performance and shutter get less positive opinions.

usability, performance, size, screen, design

battery, storage, memory, shutter, low-light

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3) is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 956 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (55% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (25% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (6% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (78%)Show negative (22%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (56%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (95%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (61%)Show negative (39%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (75%)(Show all)
memory
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
shutter
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
glare
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
low-light
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
optics
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
exposure
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 682 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 593 of 682 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (260)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 84 user reviews of Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3) from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk.

90% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 490 user reviews of Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3) from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Opinions about the usability and price are overall positive. The image quality and battery are also mentioned favorably.

battery, image quality, price, usability

89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 9 user reviews of Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3) from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.ca.

89% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com)

Canon ELPH 520 HS review: Canon ELPH 520 HS

 

Canon ELPH 520 HS

The ; is a good-looking camera that's remarkably compact for its 12x zoom lens.

The 520 HS' button layout takes some adjusting to, its battery life is relatively short, and its photo and movie quality are disappointing given the camera's price tag.

The Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a good choice for those already happy with their smartphone's photos and movie clips, but looking for a cute little camera with a long zoom and faster performance.

May, 2012
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Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)

Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS Review: Ultracompact Camera With 12X Optical Zoom

 

Pocket-megazoom cameras have been around for a few years now, but you probably haven't seen one as small or as simple as the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS ($300 as of April 7, 2012). In a way, it represents a new breed of basic compact camera: Rather...

12X zoom lens in an ultracompact body ; Very good exposure and color ; Wide array of scene modes and effects

Battery life is only fair ; No manual controls ; Buttons are very small ; Poor image sharpness ; Uses MicroSD cards for storage

The PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a very compact 12X-optical-zoom camera designed for casual shooters. It doesn't perform at the level we're used to seeing in Canon's cameras, and its MicroSD slot and lack of manual controls may give prospective buyers pause.

Apr, 2012
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Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS

 

The Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS packs a 12x zoom lens into a very compact body that's sure to turn heads. But this pretty camera is hampered by a tiny sensor that produces noisy images at middle to high ISO settings.

Very slim and compact. Stylish. Nice zoom range. Snappy responsiveness.

Tiny image sensor. Poor low-light performance. Slightly soft lens. Uses microSD memory.

Performance and Conclusions The Elph 520 HS, which is powered by Canon's Digic 5 image processor, performed admirably—but not exceptionally—in our speed tests. It can start up and grab a shot in about 2.8 seconds and records a 0.2 second shutter lag....

Mar, 2012
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Expert review by : William Chambers (steves-digicams.com)

Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Review

 

While the PowerShot 520 HS has some appealing features and performance, it also has several cons; more than we typically see with a PowerShot camera. At about $300 USD, we recommend you take a good look at the competition before making your final...

Durable metal exterior available in 4 colors ; Offers that classic Digital ELPH look and feel ; Captures pleasing 10-megapixel photos when viewed full screen ; Good shooting performance ; Loads of useful exposure options; both in still and video modes...

Extremely Weak flash ; Uses microSD cards ; Poor Battery Life ; Luminous noise present through ISO range, causes graininess or speckling when viewing images at 100 ; Tiny rear controls are cumbersome; specifically the 4-way controller buttons

While the PowerShot 520 HS has some appealing features and performance, it also has several cons; more than we typically see with a PowerShot camera. At about $300 USD, we recommend you take a good look at the competition before making your final...

May, 2012
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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Canon IXUS 500 HS Review

 

The Canon IXUS 500 HS (also known as the ELPH 520 HS) is a new superzoom camera in the IXUS range, featuring a 12x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 28-336mm. The 10 megapixel Canon 500 HS offers a stylish metal body, High-Sensitivity CMOS...

The Canon IXUS 500 HS is a good attempt to marry the classic styling of the IXUS range with a big zoom lens, but the tiny controls, poor battery life, so-so image quality at high ISO speeds and the eye-watering price-tag detract somewhat from its...

Feb, 2012
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Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS

 

Recapturing that original ELPH spirit, the Canon 520 HS successfully shoehorns a 12x zoom into the classic old box and circle design, making for a competent everywhere camera that's also affordable.

Compact 12x zoom; Optical image stabilization; Full HD movies; Handheld Night Scene mode; Good shutter lag time

Uses microSD media; Short battery life; Flash is weak; Soft at telephoto; Tiny buttons

I can easily recommend the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS to anyone looking for a slightly beyond-the-basics point-and-shoot digicam, particularly if portability is important. It has a good Smart Auto system with 58 options for aim-and-forget shooting. If...

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Expert review by : Camera Labs (cameralabs.com)

Canon ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS

 

The Canon ELPH 520 HS/ IXUS 500 HS sits near the top of the ELPH / IXUS range alongside the ELPH 530 HS / IXUS 510 HS which adds a 16:9 touch-screen and WiFi. Its headline feature is a 12x optical zoom which it manages to squeeze into a tiny metal box...

12x stabilised optical zoom., Very compact sylish metal body., Optical zoom while movie recording

Poor battery life., Takes MicroSD format cards., Small buttons can be difficult to press., Reduced 2.5M resolution Burst mode

Aug, 2012
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Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (macworld.com)

Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS

 

The PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a very compact 12X-optical-zoom camera designed for casual shooters. It offers decent performance, but not at the level we're used to seeing in Canon's cameras.

Wide array of scene modes and effects ; Very good exposure and color ; 12X zoom lens in an ultracompact body

No manual controls ; Buttons are very small ; Poor image sharpness ; Battery life is only fair ; Uses MicroSD cards for storage

Pocket-megazoom cameras have been around for a few years now, but you probably haven’t seen one as small or as simple as the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS. In a way, it represents a new breed of basic compact camera: Rather than cramming more megapixels...

Apr, 2012
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Expert review by : Mike Perlman (technobuffalo.com)

Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Video Review

 

Just the other day I was perusing Canon's Digital Compact Cameras webpage when suddenly I was submerged in a vat of relentless consternation. The company offers 25 point-and-shoot models in the sub-$350 category. In my opinion, that's far too many,…

Mar, 2012
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Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Canon IXUS 500 HS

 

If the IXUS 500 HS takes photos as good as it looks, you're in for a treat.

Stunning design, Well-specified, Impressive LCD screen

High price tag, Lacking a few more high-end features to justify price tag

May, 2012
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Price comparison for Canon IXUS 500 HS (ELPH 520 HS / IXY 3)

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