The Professional's Source
800.606.6969 / 212.444.6615
Canon Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver)
- No Longer Available
- B&H # CAPSE500S
- Mfr# 5128B001
Product Highlights
- 12.1MP CMOS Sensor
- 4.4x Optical Zoom 24-105mm Lens (Equiv)
- 24mm Wide-Angle
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- Improved Low Light/High ISO Photos
- Full 1080p HD Video W/Stereo Sound
- Hi-Speed Burst Shooting at Up to 8.2fps
- Slow Motion Movie Mode--240fps
- Effects Include Toy Camera & Monochrome
- Smart AUTO Has 32 Scene Modes
Remember the Essentials
A memory card is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase a memory card that suits your needs.
Canon's Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver) packs features galore into its compact (3.96 x 2.18 x 0.98"/10 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm) and lightweight (5.82 oz/165 g) body--a 12.1MP CMOS high resolution sensor, 4.4x wide-angle 24-105mm lens (equivalent in 35mm format), and full 1920 x 1080 HD video with stereo sound, for starters.
It's also got the advanced HS system delivering clear, sharp photos with detail and nuance in low light, with high or low ISO images. Optical image stabilization keeps away the shaky pictures and video, and Smart AUTO recognizes and sets optimal exposure, shutter and focus settings for 32 predefined shooting situations. The Super Slow Motion Movie mode records video at 240fps for a very slow motion playback, and the High-Speed Burst mode allows you to shoot still photos at up to 8.2fps.
A large range of creative effects is available, including fisheye effect, miniature effect (stills and video), toy camera effect that creates a vignette similar to pinhole cameras, monochrome, super vivid, color accent, color swap (pick one color in a photo and replace that color with another of your choice), super vivid color for artistic effect, and many more. This ELPH is fully loaded and ready to go.
- Experience the Power
- The Canon HS SYSTEM takes the frustration out of low light shooting. The system delivers clear, blur-free shots with all the ambiance intact, and frees you from the sometimes unwanted effects of using the flash. Beautiful low light shots are possible at both low and high ISO speeds, and the dynamic range is expanded to retain maximum detail in highlight and shadow areas. The system is the result of two technologies brought together in a compact PowerShot. The first is the 12.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, which positions the light-receiving surface for optimal light reception. More light means clearer, blur-free images with plenty of detail and nuance, even in dark areas. Working together with the CMOS sensor to deliver the HS SYSTEM is Canon's advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor, which actively reduces noise and delivers high speed image processing.
- Memorable Moments in Spectacular Full HD
- Experiencing the brilliance of Full 1080p HD video in a Canon PowerShot ELPH digital camera has never been easier. You?ll be able to record everyday moments in amazing life-like realism at a push of a button and you won?t have to worry about shaky footage because Dynamic IS will help keep your videos steady!
- Get the Shot You Want With Just a Touch
- Experience the advancement of touch screen technology with the PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera. Simply touch the screen to choose and track an AF point, change camera settings, record and play videos and much, much more! Let Canon bring the art of photography to your fingertips and have fun viewing the every day moments on a big, bright screen in amazing detail.
- A Big Lens for Big Ambitions
- The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera sports an f/2.0 aperture, perfect for creating enticing portraits, by drawing attention to the face and blurring the background with its impressively shallow depth-of-field. The large aperture also does more. It lets you capture more nuances in low light shooting by using more of the available light. The 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens puts more into every frame so you can easily photograph landscapes, tall buildings and large groups of people.
- A PowerShot that Keeps Up with the Action
- Sometimes, the action just won't stop for you. The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera is equipped with High-speed Burst Mode that can capture 8.2 frames per second, letting you catch the sequence of the action-a feature great for using at sport events! You can also add a fun slow motion effect to you videos with Super Slow Motion Movie. Super Slow Motion Movie will record your clips at a high speed so that when you watch your videos, they'll play back in slow motion-a feature also useful for analyzing a play-by-play of sports moves!
- Clarity and Stability at Your Fingertips
- A 4.4x Optical Zoom lens enables you to capture subjects that are close and far away. The added bonus of an Optical Image Stabilizer ensures that every moment you photograph will come out amazingly clear and focused.
- Advanced Smart AUTO for Stills and Videos That Shine
- The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera takes the quality of your still images and videos to a whole new level - automatically. The camera's advanced Smart AUTO system detects a wealth of information about the scene you're shooting, then automatically selects the optimal settings for you. Now with an expanded range of 32 shooting scenarios, the camera handles a wide variety of situations, freeing you up to concentrate on composing your shot and capturing the moment you're looking for. From portraits to landscapes to action scenes, the PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera has you covered whether you're shooting stills or videos.
- Smart AUTO
- The camera automatically selects the best shooting settings for optimal quality based on subjects and environmental factors to provide point-and-shoot simplicity.
- P Program
- Access advanced exposure compensation features while shooting mostly automatically.
- Av Aperture-Priority
- You define the aperture to either isolate your subject or have clarity throughout the entire picture, and the camera will choose the corresponding shutter speed.
- Tv Shutter-Priority
- You select the shutter speed to stop or blur action, and the camera finds the appropriate aperture. With slow exposure times, Canon's noise reduction system activates to ensure low image noise.
- Movie Digest Mode
- Records a video clip before capturing a still image and then combines one day's worth of clips into a video.
- Portrait
- The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject "pop."
- Kids & Pets
- Reduced focusing time freezes fast-moving subjects, so you won't miss those special shots.
- Smart Shutter
- The camera automatically takes the photo when people smile, wink, or get into frame.
- High-speed Burst
- The camera shoots continuously at a high speed of approx. 8.2fps while you hold down the shutter.
- Best Image Selection
- The camera takes five photos in succession, and then chooses the best one out of the bunch.
- Handheld Night Scene
- Suppresses image blur even without the help of a tripod.
- Low Light
- For high quality image capture in an amazing range of dimly-lit situations.
- Fisheye Effect
- Add a classic photo distortion without a fisheye lens.
- Miniature Effect for Movies & Stills
- Emphasizes perspective for a miniature effect by blurring upper and bottom portions of videos and stills.
- Toy Camera Effect
- Simulates photos taken with "toy" or pinhole cameras, darkening the image at the edges to create a vignette effect.
- Creative Light Effect
- Transform background bright spots to stars, hearts, music motes and more.
- Monochrome
- Choose from three single-tone effects: Black-and-White, Sepia, or Blue.
- Super Vivid
- Super Vivid intensifies existing hues, saturating the scene with bright colors.
- Poster Effect
- Poster Effect combines several similar shades into one color, turning subtle gradations into eye-catching, scene-popping contrasts.
- Color Accent
- Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome.
- Color Swap
- Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects.
- Beach
- Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces.
- Foliage
- Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms.
- Snow
- Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.
- Fireworks
- Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.
- Movie
- Shoot in Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 24 fps for up to 14 min. 53 sec. or 4GB per clip. Shoot in HD (1280 x 720) at 24 fps for up to 21 min. and 23 sec. or 4GB per clip. Shoot in VGA (640 x 480) at 30 fps for up to 46 min. and 46 sec. or 4GB per clip and QVGA (320 x 240 at 30 fps) for up to 2 hours 23 min. and 41 sec. or 4GB per clip. Record your clips in high speed (approx. 240fps), and then watch your videos in slow motion.
- Shoot it Your Way
- For photography enthusiasts, the ability to control aperture and shutter speed is key. The Aperture- and Shutter-priority modes on the Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera make it easy for anyone to take extra control over the look and feel of images captured.In Aperture-priority mode, you set the aperture and the camera automatically selects an appropriate shutter speed. This lets you create sharp subjects with beautifully blurred backgrounds, and landscapes with foreground, middle ground and background all in focus.Shutter-priority mode lets you choose a shutter speed while the camera automatically selects the aperture. Higher shutter speeds are great for catching stop-action shots of moving subjects, while lower shutter speeds create intentional blurring.
- Easily Turn Your Memories into Videos
- Putting together a video containing highlights from family vacations, important occasions and other special events is now easier than you might imagine. Using the Movie Digest Mode, you can have the camera automatically record a short video clip (up to approximately 4 seconds) every time you shoot a still image. The camera will then combine an entire day's worth of clips into a single video. No editing required - Movie Digest Mode does all the work, so you can sit back and enjoy your video!
Go To
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Pixels |
Actual: 12.8 Megapixel Effective: 12.1 Megapixel |
| Sensor | 1/2.3" CMOS |
| File Formats |
Still Images: JPEG Movies: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MOV Audio: Linear PCM |
| Max Resolution | 12MP: 4000 x 3000 @ 4:3 |
| Other Resolutions |
10.6MP: 4000 x 2664 @ 3:2 9MP: 2992 x 2992 @ 1:1 9MP: 4000 x 2248 4.4MP: 2816 x 1584 @ 16:9 5.3MP: 2816 x 1880 @ 3:2 6MP: 2816 x 2112 @ 4:3 4.4MP: 2112 x 2112 @ 1:1 2MP: 1920 x 1080 @ 16:9 1.7MP: 1600 x 1064 @ 3:2 1.9MP: 1600 x 1200 @ 4:3 1.4MP: 1200 x 1200 @ 1:1 0.23MP: 640 x 360 @ 16:9 0.27MP: 640 x 424 @ 3:2 0.3MP: 640 x 480 @ 4:3 0.23MP: 480 x 480 @ 1:1 |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Color Spaces | None |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens |
EFL: 4.3-18.8 mm (35 mm equivalent: 24-105 mm) Aperture: f/2.0 (W) - 5.8 (T) |
| Zoom |
Optical: 4.4x Digital: 4x |
| Focus Range |
Wide: 1.97" (5 cm) - Infinity Telephoto: 1.31' (40 cm) - Infinity Macro: 1.18" (3 cm) - 19.69" (50 cm) |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100-3200 |
| Shutter | 15 - 1/1500 sec |
| Exposure Metering | Center-weighted, Evaluative, Spot |
| Exposure Modes |
Modes: AE Lock Compensation: -2 EV to +2 EV (in 0.33 EV steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Tungsten |
| Burst Rate |
Up to 3.4 fps at 12.1 MP
1
Please Note:Approx. 8.2 shots/sec. (in High-speed Burst) close |
| Self Timer |
2 Sec, 10 Sec
2
Please Note:Shooting start time (0-10 sec. (in one-second increments), 20/25/30 sec.) and number of shots (1-10 shots (in one-shot increments)) can be specified. close |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Flash Modes |
Auto Auto/Red-eye Reduction FE Lock Flash On Off Red-eye Reduction Slow Sync |
| Effective Flash Range |
Wide: 1.6 - 16' (0.49 - 4.88 m) Telephoto: 1.6 - 6.6' (0.49 - 2.01 m) |
| Memory | |
|---|---|
| Memory Card Type |
SD SDHC SDXC MMC MMCplus HC MMCplus |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Recording | Yes, NTSC/PAL |
| Video | |
|---|---|
| Audio Recording | With Video, Stereo |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 3.2" LCD Rear Screen (461000 pixels) |
| Connectivity/System Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity |
USB 2.0 HDMI C (Mini) AV Output |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Battery | NB-6L Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.96 x 2.18 x 0.98" / 10.06 x 5.54 x 2.49 cm |
| Weight | 5.82 oz / 165 g Camera Only |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 65 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good image quality (51)
- Easy to use (48)
- Large clear LCD (45)
- Compact (42)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (41)
Cons
- Short battery life (12)
- Limited zoom (11)
- No viewfinder (6)
- Lag / shutter delay (4)
Best Uses
- Family photos (44)
- Travel (39)
- Low light (36)
- Landscape/scenery (32)
- Video (23)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual photographer (25), Photo enthusiast (23), Semi-pro photographer (7), Pro photographer (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (56), Yes (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Very wide angle. f/2.0. Touch screen.
I use the camera for family snapshots and HD family video. The f/2.0 aperture with the very wide angle lens (equal to 24mm on old 35mm cameras) and a pretty decent looking 800...Read complete review
I use the camera for family snapshots and HD family video. The f/2.0 aperture with the very wide angle lens (equal to 24mm on old 35mm cameras) and a pretty decent looking 800 ISO all come together to allow for good low light portraits of the family using only ambient light. In fact the lens at its widest setting is so wide it distorts noticeably in close-up portraits, but I can zoom in a little to shoot head and shoulders portraits without much lens distortion at f/2.8 aperture. With my old video camera, I could never back far enough away from my family when indoors to get all the action in frame, but this lens at widest angle is perfect for video in cramped quarters, or to capture a lot of background and take advantage of the full HD widescreen perspective. And the stereo microphone sounds pretty darn good in headphones considering the entire camera fits in the palm of my hand! My only complaint about video on this camera (and all of the cameras in this class) is that I can't make +/- adjustments to exposure (when shooting movies), so I get blown out faces shooting video against very dark backgrounds and the opposite with very bright backgrounds. For still images however, exposure adjustment is a breeze. In fact, all of the touch-screen adjustments are easy. There is only one physical button on the rear of the camera, leaving lots of real-estate for a huge, bright and colorful touch screen. I bought the camera for the lens and thought the touch screen might be annoying. But I think the touch screen might be one of the best features of the camera. I tend to be a reader of manuals, but with this camera I just started playing with the touch screen and finding my way around intuitively. I love the face recognition focusing. And when there isn't a face, (or isn't a face that will cooperate and look at the camera!) I love the ability to touch the screen on the part of the scene I want in focus and the camera keeps track of that spot and focuses on it! I like to set the shooting mode to Av and set the aperture wide open and turn the flash off and leave it there. I discovered that in bright outdoor light, the camera has a built-in ND (neutral density) filter to allow shooting when the brightness exceeds the speed capability of the shutter and allowed me to shoot a bright beach scene portrait wide open at f/2.0. In "my colors", I set the sharpening the the highest setting, turned down saturation a notch and turned up contrast a notch and leave it there for everything. Auto ISO works well and so does auto white balance. My other camera is a T2i (a 20D before that) and I'm used to shooting with manual controls in RAW mode. No point and shoot can compare to a good DSLR with a good prime lens. But this is a very compact, attractive (especially in brown) and capable point and shoot.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Canon really messed up this ELPH
I have purchased 3 ELPH series cameras in the past. I thought that the newest version would have all the great aspects of the previous cameras. The canon HS 500 is not as sturdy,...Read complete review
I have purchased 3 ELPH series cameras in the past. I thought that the newest version would have all the great aspects of the previous cameras. The canon HS 500 is not as sturdy, don't drop this camera or it will be the end! It is common for the retractable lens to malfunction. The touchscreen is unresponsive at times. There is no focus setting on the video setting, and my video's are constantly going in and out of focus. And lastly and most importantly, My images are so affected by lighting, my other canon cameras ( earlier model ELPH's) I just point shoot and voila a great crystal clear photo...but with this model I must be very creative with light settings in order to get the same effect.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 65 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Good in Low Light
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Brown):
I love this camera and all its features. Iv'e had many point and shoots but this one beats them all!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Easy to use, great features, EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD PHOTOS!
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- 8gig SD card
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Lag / Shutter Delay
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
We have used these cameras in high school after school arts programing. They are dynamic enough for lesson plans about shutter speed etc. while being easy to use and travel with. Perfect for teaching.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Onyx 220 Camera Pouch
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Brown):
I bought this camera at the suggestion of my Uncle who is somewhere between an amateur and professional photographer. I picked out three that I liked and he told me which of them was best. I mostly use this camera to take candid photos of friends and family to print out and scrapbook or post on facebook. I haven't taken too many pictures yet, but the ones I have taken look great.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The handiest feature is the ability to shoot pictures or video, both in high def. To shoot pictures, use the normal button on top. To shoot video, touch the red dot on the screen.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Brown):
I used the Canon 500 HS for about 3 weeks travelling around India. Most of the photos were taken outdoors and I performed my usual indoor tests in available light (flash off).I found the touchscreen -- one of the key features of this digicam -- quite enjoyable. Moving through the options is a breeze, although using your fingernail rather than a fingertip gets better results for specific changes.
Pros
Fast f/2 lens
Good 1080 HD video
Very good low light performance
excellent photo quality for its class and a nice mix of shooting modes.
Cons
Bulkier, heavier than average
24 fps videos a bit jerky
Sluggish 1.6 fps burst mode at best quality
Touchscreen is not as sensitive as smartphones, so it takes some time to get used to it
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Pink):
Took my camera on it's first holiday to New Zealand on a cruise. A great place for scenic shots. Very happy with how the snaps turned out. Loved that I could take steady video especially as our ship slowly cruised through the Milford Sounds. Compact and easy to use. As an Australian, needed to purchase an Aus.power adapter to use the battery charger as it is naturally US...but that was no big deal. Only possible negative would be the zoom...you may want more...but for the price of this one , it was satisfactory.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The camera is great, and fast.
The touch screen is mediocre. Buttons work best.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Zoom
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Poor Image Quality
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The shape of this camera is perfect for sliding in and out of a pocket. A smooth design with almost no knobs or buttons. The shape tapers at one end. Perfect for the pocket but not my hands. Aways felt like it might slip. Just wasn't comfortable for me to handle. Also I was disapointed in the image quailty. Maybe I had a bad one, maybe I expected too much, I don't know. I have a DSLR and wanted a pocket camera for times when my DSLR is too big. I didn't expect same quality as a DSLR, but out of fifty or so test pictures only about five were acceptable to me. I didn't like the camera, and I knew I never would. B&H gave me a full refund. The return was easy. I'm totaly happy.
- Ease of Operation:
- 7
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Most other cameras have too much menu navigation depth. The touch screen on the Powershot 500 HS ELPH is very well laid out and simplifies the menu.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Auto Focus problems
- Lag / Shutter Delay
- Limited Zoom
- No Viewfinder
- Poor Flash
- Poor Image Quality
- Poor Image Stabilization
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
I have purchased 3 ELPH series cameras in the past. I thought that the newest version would have all the great aspects of the previous cameras. The canon HS 500 is not as sturdy, don't drop this camera or it will be the end! It is common for the retractable lens to malfunction. The touchscreen is unresponsive at times. There is no focus setting on the video setting, and my video's are constantly going in and out of focus. And lastly and most importantly, My images are so affected by lighting, my other canon cameras ( earlier model ELPH's) I just point shoot and voila a great crystal clear photo...but with this model I must be very creative with light settings in order to get the same effect.
- Ease of Operation:
- 7
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Family Photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
It's just great
- Ease of Operation:
- 6
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
I have been looking for a point & shoot camera for a while now. I am a professional photographer and I always carried around my 5DII...but it gets heavy. I like to use it when I'm totally in the photo session mood...but not when I just want snap shots of a very casual family outing for example. I love that now it does not leave my purse or pocket and I can shoot away anything and everything with just one hand if I want! I love the touch screen and the definition is great. I love that it has a 2.0 aperture so I have shot most of my images without the need of the flash, unless I'm backlighting a subject. All in all, easy to use, handy, light, big screen and I can lend it to my 10 year old without worrying that he might drop a heavey camera with an expensive lense on it!
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Large Clear LCD
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Bought this little camera for video. I think generally Canon does a good job with video. It shoots HD and is handy to use and carry in my pocket. The touchscreen is not responsive and I don't like it. All of the settings are not going to be found by just using intuition and searching. You must look at the manual. I don't like that either. Photo quality is ok for stills and pretty good for video. I bought this camera primarily for HD video, then secondly for size, convenience, and price. If price was not a factor I would have chosen the Canon s100.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
have only had this a short time and find that it is handy, easy to use and shoots great pictures under various conditions.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
It is VERY easy to use. I had other cameras and this one is the best. Compact and loaded with features.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Good in Low Light
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The camera is just excellent. This is my 6th Canon camera and i never was disappointed with quality image or settings. Extremely easy to use, flexible with multiple settings. BH Photo has a fast shipping and professional costumer service.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Pink):
Well I have only been able to snap a few pics with my new camera before I wrapped it up (it was my Christmas present from my fiance), but the camera was very easy to use and the pictures were the best quality. I wanted a professional looking photo, but I cannot afford one of those 600.00 cameras - so this one is PERFECT.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Pink):
pros
colorfull and realistic photos
cons
no auto focus in video
in overall, excelent camera
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Poor Image Stabilization
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Nice easy to use point&shot camera. Very convenient touch-screen; Video: nice 1080p, but the optical picture stabilization (as you could expect in small camera body) is limited; Good appendix for my Nikon DSL.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 65 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good image quality (51)
- Easy to use (48)
- Large clear LCD (45)
- Compact (42)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (41)
Cons
- Short battery life (12)
- Limited zoom (11)
- No viewfinder (6)
- Lag / shutter delay (4)
Best Uses
- Family photos (44)
- Travel (39)
- Low light (36)
- Landscape/scenery (32)
- Video (23)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual photographer (25), Photo enthusiast (23), Semi-pro photographer (7), Pro photographer (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (56), Yes (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Very wide angle. f/2.0. Touch screen.
I use the camera for family snapshots and HD family video. The f/2.0 aperture with the very wide angle lens (equal to 24mm on old 35mm cameras) and a pretty decent looking 800...Read complete review
I use the camera for family snapshots and HD family video. The f/2.0 aperture with the very wide angle lens (equal to 24mm on old 35mm cameras) and a pretty decent looking 800 ISO all come together to allow for good low light portraits of the family using only ambient light. In fact the lens at its widest setting is so wide it distorts noticeably in close-up portraits, but I can zoom in a little to shoot head and shoulders portraits without much lens distortion at f/2.8 aperture. With my old video camera, I could never back far enough away from my family when indoors to get all the action in frame, but this lens at widest angle is perfect for video in cramped quarters, or to capture a lot of background and take advantage of the full HD widescreen perspective. And the stereo microphone sounds pretty darn good in headphones considering the entire camera fits in the palm of my hand! My only complaint about video on this camera (and all of the cameras in this class) is that I can't make +/- adjustments to exposure (when shooting movies), so I get blown out faces shooting video against very dark backgrounds and the opposite with very bright backgrounds. For still images however, exposure adjustment is a breeze. In fact, all of the touch-screen adjustments are easy. There is only one physical button on the rear of the camera, leaving lots of real-estate for a huge, bright and colorful touch screen. I bought the camera for the lens and thought the touch screen might be annoying. But I think the touch screen might be one of the best features of the camera. I tend to be a reader of manuals, but with this camera I just started playing with the touch screen and finding my way around intuitively. I love the face recognition focusing. And when there isn't a face, (or isn't a face that will cooperate and look at the camera!) I love the ability to touch the screen on the part of the scene I want in focus and the camera keeps track of that spot and focuses on it! I like to set the shooting mode to Av and set the aperture wide open and turn the flash off and leave it there. I discovered that in bright outdoor light, the camera has a built-in ND (neutral density) filter to allow shooting when the brightness exceeds the speed capability of the shutter and allowed me to shoot a bright beach scene portrait wide open at f/2.0. In "my colors", I set the sharpening the the highest setting, turned down saturation a notch and turned up contrast a notch and leave it there for everything. Auto ISO works well and so does auto white balance. My other camera is a T2i (a 20D before that) and I'm used to shooting with manual controls in RAW mode. No point and shoot can compare to a good DSLR with a good prime lens. But this is a very compact, attractive (especially in brown) and capable point and shoot.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Canon really messed up this ELPH
I have purchased 3 ELPH series cameras in the past. I thought that the newest version would have all the great aspects of the previous cameras. The canon HS 500 is not as sturdy,...Read complete review
I have purchased 3 ELPH series cameras in the past. I thought that the newest version would have all the great aspects of the previous cameras. The canon HS 500 is not as sturdy, don't drop this camera or it will be the end! It is common for the retractable lens to malfunction. The touchscreen is unresponsive at times. There is no focus setting on the video setting, and my video's are constantly going in and out of focus. And lastly and most importantly, My images are so affected by lighting, my other canon cameras ( earlier model ELPH's) I just point shoot and voila a great crystal clear photo...but with this model I must be very creative with light settings in order to get the same effect.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 65 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Good in Low Light
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Brown):
I love this camera and all its features. Iv'e had many point and shoots but this one beats them all!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Easy to use, great features, EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD PHOTOS!
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- 8gig SD card
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Lag / Shutter Delay
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
We have used these cameras in high school after school arts programing. They are dynamic enough for lesson plans about shutter speed etc. while being easy to use and travel with. Perfect for teaching.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Onyx 220 Camera Pouch
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Brown):
I bought this camera at the suggestion of my Uncle who is somewhere between an amateur and professional photographer. I picked out three that I liked and he told me which of them was best. I mostly use this camera to take candid photos of friends and family to print out and scrapbook or post on facebook. I haven't taken too many pictures yet, but the ones I have taken look great.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The handiest feature is the ability to shoot pictures or video, both in high def. To shoot pictures, use the normal button on top. To shoot video, touch the red dot on the screen.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Brown):
I used the Canon 500 HS for about 3 weeks travelling around India. Most of the photos were taken outdoors and I performed my usual indoor tests in available light (flash off).I found the touchscreen -- one of the key features of this digicam -- quite enjoyable. Moving through the options is a breeze, although using your fingernail rather than a fingertip gets better results for specific changes.
Pros
Fast f/2 lens
Good 1080 HD video
Very good low light performance
excellent photo quality for its class and a nice mix of shooting modes.
Cons
Bulkier, heavier than average
24 fps videos a bit jerky
Sluggish 1.6 fps burst mode at best quality
Touchscreen is not as sensitive as smartphones, so it takes some time to get used to it
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Pink):
Took my camera on it's first holiday to New Zealand on a cruise. A great place for scenic shots. Very happy with how the snaps turned out. Loved that I could take steady video especially as our ship slowly cruised through the Milford Sounds. Compact and easy to use. As an Australian, needed to purchase an Aus.power adapter to use the battery charger as it is naturally US...but that was no big deal. Only possible negative would be the zoom...you may want more...but for the price of this one , it was satisfactory.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The camera is great, and fast.
The touch screen is mediocre. Buttons work best.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Zoom
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Poor Image Quality
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The shape of this camera is perfect for sliding in and out of a pocket. A smooth design with almost no knobs or buttons. The shape tapers at one end. Perfect for the pocket but not my hands. Aways felt like it might slip. Just wasn't comfortable for me to handle. Also I was disapointed in the image quailty. Maybe I had a bad one, maybe I expected too much, I don't know. I have a DSLR and wanted a pocket camera for times when my DSLR is too big. I didn't expect same quality as a DSLR, but out of fifty or so test pictures only about five were acceptable to me. I didn't like the camera, and I knew I never would. B&H gave me a full refund. The return was easy. I'm totaly happy.
- Ease of Operation:
- 7
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Most other cameras have too much menu navigation depth. The touch screen on the Powershot 500 HS ELPH is very well laid out and simplifies the menu.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Auto Focus problems
- Lag / Shutter Delay
- Limited Zoom
- No Viewfinder
- Poor Flash
- Poor Image Quality
- Poor Image Stabilization
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
I have purchased 3 ELPH series cameras in the past. I thought that the newest version would have all the great aspects of the previous cameras. The canon HS 500 is not as sturdy, don't drop this camera or it will be the end! It is common for the retractable lens to malfunction. The touchscreen is unresponsive at times. There is no focus setting on the video setting, and my video's are constantly going in and out of focus. And lastly and most importantly, My images are so affected by lighting, my other canon cameras ( earlier model ELPH's) I just point shoot and voila a great crystal clear photo...but with this model I must be very creative with light settings in order to get the same effect.
- Ease of Operation:
- 7
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Family Photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
It's just great
- Ease of Operation:
- 6
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
I have been looking for a point & shoot camera for a while now. I am a professional photographer and I always carried around my 5DII...but it gets heavy. I like to use it when I'm totally in the photo session mood...but not when I just want snap shots of a very casual family outing for example. I love that now it does not leave my purse or pocket and I can shoot away anything and everything with just one hand if I want! I love the touch screen and the definition is great. I love that it has a 2.0 aperture so I have shot most of my images without the need of the flash, unless I'm backlighting a subject. All in all, easy to use, handy, light, big screen and I can lend it to my 10 year old without worrying that he might drop a heavey camera with an expensive lense on it!
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Large Clear LCD
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Bought this little camera for video. I think generally Canon does a good job with video. It shoots HD and is handy to use and carry in my pocket. The touchscreen is not responsive and I don't like it. All of the settings are not going to be found by just using intuition and searching. You must look at the manual. I don't like that either. Photo quality is ok for stills and pretty good for video. I bought this camera primarily for HD video, then secondly for size, convenience, and price. If price was not a factor I would have chosen the Canon s100.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
have only had this a short time and find that it is handy, easy to use and shoots great pictures under various conditions.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
It is VERY easy to use. I had other cameras and this one is the best. Compact and loaded with features.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Good in Low Light
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
The camera is just excellent. This is my 6th Canon camera and i never was disappointed with quality image or settings. Extremely easy to use, flexible with multiple settings. BH Photo has a fast shipping and professional costumer service.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Pink):
Well I have only been able to snap a few pics with my new camera before I wrapped it up (it was my Christmas present from my fiance), but the camera was very easy to use and the pictures were the best quality. I wanted a professional looking photo, but I cannot afford one of those 600.00 cameras - so this one is PERFECT.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast/accurate auto-focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Pink):
pros
colorfull and realistic photos
cons
no auto focus in video
in overall, excelent camera
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Poor Image Stabilization
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Powershot 500 HS Digital ELPH Camera (Silver):
Nice easy to use point&shot camera. Very convenient touch-screen; Video: nice 1080p, but the optical picture stabilization (as you could expect in small camera body) is limited; Good appendix for my Nikon DSL.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Memory Cards
Show more >Required item: Be sure to have enough storage capacity.
- Price: $8.98
Batteries & Power
Show more >Always keep a spare battery handy so you won't get caught without power.
- Price: $39.00
- Price: $19.95
Bags & Straps
Show more >Carry, store, and protect all your equipment with a bag or a strap.
- Price: $9.95
Screen Protectors
Show more >Protect your LCD screen from scratches and finger prints.
- Price: $7.49
Card Readers
Show more >Download your pictures faster and save battery life.
- Price: $9.95
WHY SHOP AT B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don't turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you'll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We've made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
