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

956 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (63)
performance (60)
size (51)
design (40)
screen (37)

Negative
battery (15)
memory (4)
storage (3)
shutter (3)
low-light (1)

General overview
Price comparison

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. People really like the design and screen. The size and performance are also appreciated. There are some mixed opinions about the glare, and many are negative about the low light performance and shutter.

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.

See all Canon Digital Cameras

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)

Show more features

Showing 683 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 593 of 683 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.

Apr, 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. People really like the usability and price. The image quality and battery are also appreciated.

battery, image quality, price, usability

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

Apr, 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.

Apr, 2024

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

Read the full review

Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (techradar.com)

Canon IXUS 500 HS review

The slimmest compact camera to squeeze in a 12x optical zoom

Stylish design ; Solid construction ; Broad optical zoom range ; Compact dimensions ; Full HD video with stereo sound

Pricey ; Teeny backplate controls ; Images lack definition, especially at maximum zoom ; Unimpressive battery life

With an almost glacial, cough sweet-inspired sheen to the maroon camera we tested - blue, black or silver being the alternatives - the 10.1 megapixel Canon IXUS 500 HS is deeply fashionable.

Apr, 2012

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (pocket-lint.com)

Canon IXUS 500 HS

Canon's IXUS range of pocket point and shoot cameras has always been as much about form as function - an approach that sets it apart from the parallel PowerShot family that concentrates more on function than form. If a camera looked this good, offered...

Well built, pocket sized and stylish in appearance, decent sized screen, Full HD video, HDMI output

You’re paying around £100 extra for the glossy good looks here, battery life is modest, microSD storage is small and fiddly, backplate button small and operational layout confusing at first

If a camera looked this good, offered the same 12x optical zoom and cost £200, we’d be praising it to the rafters. Unfortunately this example costs 50 per cent more, so a premium is being charged for the fashion conscious fascia presented here.

Mar, 2012

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (techadvisor.co.uk)

Canon Ixus 500 HS review

Regrettably, this camera is a disappointing performer, at least if you're used to the generally excellent output of Canon's PowerShot line. Our review unit made everything look a bit soft, and the Ixus 500 HS will leave many owners wanting bigger...

The Canon Ixus 500 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

Read the full review

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.co.uk)

Canon ELPH 520 HS review

The Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS makes a very good first impression. It's a small, attractive box with a 12x zoom neatly tucked inside and a high-resolution 3-inch LCD on back. Even with the lens fully extended it doesn't get any bigger than an...

The Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS 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.

Mar, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Ben Pitt (expertreviews.co.uk)

Canon Ixus 500 HS review

The slim, sumptuous design and 12x zoom lens are a great combination, but other cameras beat it for image quality

Mar, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Paul Nuttall (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Canon IXUS 500 HS review

The IXUS 500 HS features eye-catching looks and the promise of excellent image quality thanks to Canon's HS system. The question is, does it deliver? Read on to find out

Excellent design, impressive LCD screen, general image quality good

High price premium, lacking advanced features

As is often the case with Canon’s IXUS range, the 500HS arrives with a price tag exceeding other similarly specified compacts on the market. However, the price premium is warranted – the design far exceeds a lot of its peers, as does the general finish...

Mar, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by (ephotozine.com)