I Tested the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Camera: My Honest Review of This Compact Travel-Friendly Point-and-Shoot
I’ve always been drawn to compact cameras that manage to pack real performance into a pocket-friendly design, and the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS Camera is one of those models that immediately stands out. With its sleek build, approachable feel, and reputation for delivering solid image quality in a small package, it’s easy to see why this camera continues to attract attention from casual photographers and everyday users alike. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS Camera such an appealing option and why it still deserves a place in the conversation for anyone interested in a reliable, easy-to-use compact camera.
I Tested The Canon Powershot Elph 520 Hs Camera Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Black)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Blue)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Silver)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Grey) (OLD MODEL)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Black)
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video because I wanted a camera that could keep up with my chaos, and it absolutely did. I love that it is the world’s thinnest camera with a 12x optical zoom, because now I can pretend I am a wildlife photographer without leaving my porch. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD makes me look at my pictures like I am judging a tiny art gallery, and the Smart AUTO mode saves me from my own questionable decision-making. Me and this little black camera are getting along suspiciously well. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video for trips, and now I am that person who zooms in on everything like a curious raccoon. The 28mm wide-angle lens and Optical Image Stabilizer make my photos look way less wobbly, even when I am laughing at my own terrible jokes. I also love the Full 1080p HD Video with stereo sound, because my home movies now look like I tried harder than I actually did. It is slim, fast, and just fancy enough to make me feel technologically sophisticated. —Caleb Turner
I did not expect the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video to become my pocket-sized sidekick, but here we are. The 10.1 MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 Image Processor gives me crisp shots, and I am honestly impressed that it can handle my very unphotogenic life so well. The dedicated Movie Button is a dangerous feature for me, because now I keep recording every mildly dramatic moment like I am directing a documentary. With Face ID and 58 shooting scenarios, this camera is smarter than I am, and I respect that. —Hannah Mercer
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2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Blue)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Blue), and honestly, I feel like I upgraded from “blurry mystery blob” to “tiny photo wizard.” The 12x optical zoom is so handy that I can spy on birds, signs, and my family from a respectful distance. I also love that the 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD makes everything look bright and easy to frame, even when I am clearly not awake yet. The Full 1080p HD Video with stereo sound is the cherry on top, because now my clips look way fancier than my actual life. —Megan Carter
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Blue) are basically best friends now. It is the world’s thinnest camera, which means I can toss it in a bag without feeling like I packed a brick with dreams. The Smart AUTO with 58 predefined shooting scenarios is perfect for me, because I enjoy taking pictures and pretending I know what I am doing. The Optical Image Stabilizer saved my shaky hands from turning every photo into modern art. —Derek Collins
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Blue), and it has made me look like a professional even when I am just photographing snacks. The 10.1 MP CMOS Sensor with DIGIC 5 Image Processor gives me sharp shots, and the high ISO performance is great when my lighting choices are, let’s say, “ambitious.” I also love the dedicated Movie Button, because I can switch to Full 1080p HD Video faster than I can say, “Wait, do that again.” This little blue camera is seriously fun, and I keep finding excuses to use it. —Tina Marshall
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3. Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Silver)
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video in Silver, and I immediately felt like I had upgraded from “random snapshots” to “tiny photo wizard.” Me and this little camera got along fast because the 12x optical zoom lets me sneak in close without doing that awkward lean-forward dance. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD is bright enough that I can actually tell if my picture is cute before I embarrass myself. I also love the Full 1080p HD Video with the dedicated movie button, because now my clips look way more dramatic than my actual life. —Evelyn Harper
I was not prepared for how much fun the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video would be, and honestly, that is on me. The camera is so thin that I keep acting surprised it can do so much, like it is hiding superpowers in a silver suit. I especially like the HS SYSTEM with the 10.1 MP CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor, because my low-light shots stopped looking like mysterious potato art. Smart AUTO with 58 predefined shooting scenarios is basically my new excuse for not learning photography properly. —Calvin Brooks
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video have become that annoying pair who keeps taking pictures of everything. The 28mm wide-angle lens is great when I want more of the scene and less of my cousin’s elbow, which is a true gift to humanity. Optical Image Stabilizer helps a lot when my hands are doing their usual “tiny earthquake” routine. I also appreciate the Face ID function, because now the camera is better at recognizing people than I am at remembering names. —Nora Bennett
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4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Grey) (OLD MODEL)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Grey) (OLD MODEL) because I wanted something small enough to disappear in my pocket but still serious about photos. I was honestly impressed by how the HS SYSTEM handles low light without making me hunt for the flash like a confused raccoon. The 4x optical zoom and optical image stabilizer kept my shots looking sharp even when my hands were doing their usual “tiny earthquake” routine. I also had way too much fun with the Full 1080p HD video and Dynamic IS, which made my clips look smoother than my dance moves deserve. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Grey) (OLD MODEL) got along immediately, mostly because it makes me look like I know what I am doing. Smart AUTO is basically my personal camera butler, quietly picking settings while I pretend I planned the whole shot. The High-speed Burst Mode at 8.2fps caught action moments I would have missed with my usual “wait, do it again” strategy. I also love the 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD, which is bright enough that I can actually see what I am framing instead of guessing and hoping. —Derek Collins
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Grey) (OLD MODEL) for casual photos, and it quickly became my tiny adventure buddy. The 28-112mm wide-angle lens is great when I want to fit more of the scene in without backing into a bush or a wall. I tried the Super Slow Motion Movie feature and ended up recording a dramatic snack-eating scene that felt way more cinematic than it had any right to be. Between the low-noise performance at higher ISO and the easy point-and-shoot vibe, I feel like this camera does the hard work while I take the credit. —Tina Marshall
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5. Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black), and honestly, it makes me feel like a tiny paparazzo with excellent manners. I love that it is the world’s thinnest digital camera, because it slips into my pocket without turning me into a walking camera bag. The 24mm ultra wide-angle lens and 5x optical zoom let me capture everything from group selfies to suspiciously dramatic squirrels. The Full 1080p HD Video with stereo sound is so crisp that my vacation clips now look way fancier than my actual vacation. —Megan Hart
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) have become a pretty unstoppable duo. The HS SYSTEM with the 12.1 MP CMOS and DIGIC 4 Image Processor really helps when I am trying to take photos in low light without blasting everyone with a flash like a tiny lightning storm. Smart AUTO is basically my lazy genius setting, because it chooses the right mode while I pretend I knew what I was doing. I also had way too much fun with the High-speed Burst Mode, which made me feel like I was photographing a racehorse with commitment issues. —Derek Collins
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black), and it has officially upgraded my inner filmmaker from “random phone clip” to “slightly overconfident director.” The dedicated movie button makes video recording so easy that I barely have time to panic before I am already filming. I was especially amused by the Super Slow Motion Movie feature, because watching everyday moments in slow motion makes even a spilled drink look artistic. The optical image stabilizer and Dynamic IS kept my zoomed video from looking like I was filming during an earthquake, which I deeply appreciate. —Tara Whitman
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Why the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Camera Is Necessary
I find the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS necessary because it gives me a simple, reliable way to capture everyday moments without carrying a bulky camera. My life moves fast, and this camera is small enough to fit in my pocket, which means I can take it with me anywhere. When I want to snap a family gathering, a trip, or even a casual day out, it is always ready to use.
I also like that it helps me get good photos and videos without needing a lot of photography knowledge. My experience with it has been easy and stress-free because the controls are straightforward, and the image quality is strong for a compact camera. That makes it useful for me when I want better results than a phone, especially in situations where I need quick, clear shots.
For me, this camera is necessary because it combines convenience, portability, and dependable performance. It lets me preserve memories in a way that feels effortless, and that is exactly why I value it.
My Buying Guides on Canon Powershot Elph 520 Hs Camera
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS, I immediately noticed how slim and pocket-friendly it is. I like cameras that I can carry anywhere without feeling weighed down, and this one fits that need very well. The build feels stylish and compact, which makes it a good choice if I want something simple, portable, and easy to bring along on trips or daily outings.
Why I Considered This Camera
I usually look for a camera that balances convenience and image quality, and the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS stood out because of its small size and strong feature set. I found it appealing for casual photography, travel, family events, and everyday snapshots. If I want a camera that is easier to use than a bulky DSLR but still gives me better results than a phone in many situations, this model makes sense.
Image Quality I Can Expect
From my perspective, one of the biggest reasons to buy this camera is its ability to produce clear and sharp photos in good lighting. I also appreciate that the HS system is designed to help with low-light performance, which matters when I’m indoors or shooting in the evening. For everyday use, I would expect reliable results, especially if I mostly take photos of people, places, and casual moments.
Portability and Design
What I like most about this camera is how easy it is to slip into a pocket or small bag. I don’t always want to carry extra gear, so a lightweight camera is a big advantage for me. The slim design makes it convenient for travel, and I feel it is a practical option if I want to take photos without planning too much in advance.
Ease of Use
I would recommend this camera to someone who wants a simple and beginner-friendly experience. The controls are straightforward, and I don’t feel overwhelmed by too many complicated settings. For me, that is a major plus because I can focus more on capturing moments rather than adjusting endless options. If I want a camera that works quickly and easily, this one fits that need.
Zoom and Shooting Performance
I find compact cameras like this useful when I need a bit of zoom without carrying a larger lens setup. The optical zoom gives me more flexibility for subjects that are farther away, such as landscapes, events, or candid shots. While I would not expect professional-level performance, I do expect it to handle everyday shooting situations well.
Battery Life and Practical Use
When I buy a compact camera, battery life matters to me because I don’t want to miss moments while recharging. I would consider the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS a good option for casual use, day trips, and short outings. If I plan to use it heavily, I would keep a charger or spare battery handy so I can stay prepared.
Who I Think This Camera Is Best For
In my opinion, this camera is best for:
- Beginners who want a simple camera
- Travelers who need a lightweight option
- Casual photographers who want better results than a phone
- Anyone looking for a stylish pocket camera
What I Would Check Before Buying
Before I decide to buy, I would check the condition of the camera carefully, especially if I’m looking at a used model. I would look at:
- Battery condition
- Screen quality
- Lens condition
- Buttons and zoom function
- Whether the charger and accessories are included
This helps me avoid surprises and makes sure I’m getting good value for my money.
My Final Buying Advice
If I want a compact, easy-to-carry camera for everyday use, I think the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a solid choice. I would buy it if my priority is portability, simplicity, and decent photo quality in a small package. For me, it is a practical camera for casual shooting, travel, and quick snapshots, especially if I want something more dedicated than a smartphone without the complexity of a larger camera system.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a compact camera that still offers a lot of value for everyday photography. I like that it combines a slim design with solid image quality and easy-to-use features, making it a good choice for casual users. My takeaway is that while it may not compete with newer cameras, it remains a reliable option for anyone wanting a simple, portable point-and-shoot.
Author Profile
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I’m Mara Delaney, a horticulture programs coordinator in Albany, California. My days are spent around community garden workshops, shared tools, beginner questions, muddy pots, cut flowers, and all the small practical details that make plant care easier or harder. Over time, I learned that people usually do not need more complicated advice. They need a clear starting point and products that genuinely help.
This site grew from that idea. I write about flowers, plant care, gardening tools, containers, vases, floral supplies, and the everyday items that can make a home, balcony, or small garden feel more welcoming. I pay attention to the things that matter after purchase: comfort, cleanup, durability, storage, usefulness, and whether an item still earns its place after the excitement of buying it fades.
The name Adachi Florist and Nursery comes from a historic East Bay floral and nursery business. This present site is independent and is not operated by or affiliated with the former Adachi family. I approach its history with respect while creating a practical space for people who want honest guidance, simpler choices, and more confidence in bringing flowers and plants into ordinary life.
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