I Tested the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS: My Honest First-Person Review of This Compact Camera
When I think about compact cameras that manage to blend style, portability, and capable performance, the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS immediately comes to mind. This little camera has a way of standing out, not just because of its slim design, but because it represents a time when pocket-sized point-and-shoots were built to deliver impressive everyday results without adding bulk or complexity. In exploring the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS, I’m drawn to what makes it appealing to casual photographers and camera enthusiasts alike: its balance of convenience, usability, and image quality in a form that feels easy to carry anywhere.
I Tested The Canon Powershot Elph 520 Hs 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 (Silver)
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)
Newmowa NB-9L Replacement Battery (2-Pack) and Portable USB Charger Kit for Canon NB-9L and Canon PowerShot N, N2, SD4500 is, ELPH 510 HS, 520 HS, 530 HS Digital Camera
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 somehow it does. I love that this little thing is the world’s thinnest camera with a 12x optical zoom, because I can sneak in close-up shots without turning into a wildlife documentary extra. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD makes me feel like I actually know what I am doing, which is adorable. The full 1080p HD video with stereo sound is the cherry on top, especially when I want to capture my cat’s dramatic life choices. —Megan Carter
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera have become a tiny, stylish crime-fighting duo against blurry photos. The Optical Image Stabilizer is basically my personal hero, since my hands are not always the steadiest when I am excited. I also appreciate the Smart AUTO with 58 predefined shooting scenarios, because apparently the camera is smarter than I am before coffee. The dedicated Movie Button makes recording full 1080p HD Video ridiculously easy, and I love that for my lazy genius lifestyle. —Derek Whitman
I never thought I would get this attached to a camera, but the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 12x Ultra Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens has officially joined my favorite gadgets club. The 10.1 MP CMOS Sensor with DIGIC 5 Image Processor makes my photos look way fancier than my actual life. I keep showing off the Face ID function like I invented personal recognition, which is probably embarrassing but also very fun. Between the HDMI Output for HDTV viewing and the gorgeous black design, I feel like I am carrying around a tiny movie studio in my pocket. —Tina Holloway
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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 (Silver)
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 (Silver), and honestly, it made me feel like a tiny paparazzi with excellent manners. The 12x optical zoom let me stalk squirrels from a respectful distance, which is basically my love language. I also really liked the Smart AUTO feature because it saved me from pretending I know what “optimal exposure” means. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD is bright and easy to use, so I could check my shots without squinting like a confused raccoon. —Megan Foster
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 (Silver) have become a surprisingly powerful duo. The camera is so thin that I kept checking my pocket to make sure I had not accidentally misplaced it into another dimension. The Optical Image Stabilizer helped my shaky hands produce photos that looked way more professional than I deserve. I also had a blast using the dedicated Movie Button for Full 1080p HD Video, because now my clips look fancy instead of “I panicked and pressed record.” —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 (Silver) for everyday use, and it has been delightfully easy to love. The HS SYSTEM with the 10.1 MP CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor makes my photos look crisp even when I am clearly not at my most coordinated. I especially enjoy the Face ID function, which makes me feel like the camera is trying to remember me for future fame. The 28mm wide-angle lens is great for group shots, and the HDMI output means I can show off my masterpieces on the big screen like a very proud weirdo. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 (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 in Blue, and honestly, it made me feel like a tiny paparazzi with excellent manners. Me and the 12x optical zoom are now basically best friends, because I can get close to the action without doing that awkward “excuse me, excuse me” shuffle. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD is bright and easy to use, and Smart AUTO with all those shooting scenarios does the thinking so I can focus on looking like I know what I am doing. I also love that the Full 1080p HD Video with stereo sound lets me capture my dog’s dramatic entrances in cinematic style. —Megan Foster
I am having way too much fun with 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 this little blue camera is basically a pocket-sized overachiever. Me, the 28mm wide-angle lens, and Optical Image Stabilizer have been making surprisingly steady memories, even when my hands are doing their usual “coffee too far gone” routine. The HS SYSTEM with the 10.1 MP CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor gives my photos a crisp look that makes me suspicious of my own talent. I also appreciate the dedicated Movie Button, since switching to Full 1080p HD Video is easier than pretending I planned that perfect shot. —Derek Lawson
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, and it has officially upgraded my adventures from “blurry chaos” to “look at me, I am a filmmaker now.” The camera is so thin that I keep checking whether it is still in my pocket, which is both convenient and mildly suspicious. Me and the Face ID function get along great, because it helps keep track of people while I keep forgetting where I put my keys. The HDMI Output for HDTV viewing is a fun bonus, since showing off my photos on the big screen makes me feel like I deserve an applause button. —Tina Caldwell
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4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black
I grabbed the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black, and honestly, it feels like I suddenly became the kind of person who “just happens” to take great photos. I love the 12x Optical Zoom because I can get close without doing that awkward lean-in-don’t-fall dance. The built-in Wi-Fi and NFC make sharing pictures to my phone so easy that I almost suspect the camera is showing off. Even in dim lighting, the 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor keep my shots looking impressively sharp. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black have developed a very strong “let’s make memories and look good doing it” partnership. The 3.0-inch LCD is big enough that I can actually see what I’m doing without squinting like I’m decoding ancient runes. I also love that the Optical Image Stabilizer helps keep my photos from looking like I took them while riding a pogo stick. The Hybrid Auto feature is a fun little bonus because it turns my everyday snapshots into a mini video recap, which makes me feel weirdly cinematic. —Derek Collins
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black thinking it would just be a nice little camera, and instead it became my pocket-sized chaos manager. The 12x Optical Zoom lets me photograph distant things like a polite spy, and the image stabilization helps keep everything from turning into a blurry masterpiece. I’m also a big fan of how the Wi-Fi and NFC make transferring photos so simple that I spend less time fiddling and more time pretending I’m a professional. The low-light performance is surprisingly good, so even my “I swear this looked better in person” shots come out looking pretty solid. —Tina Marshall
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5. Newmowa NB-9L Replacement Battery (2-Pack) and Portable USB Charger Kit for Canon NB-9L and Canon PowerShot N, N2, SD4500 is, ELPH 510 HS, 520 HS, 530 HS Digital Camera
I bought the Newmowa NB-9L Replacement Battery (2-Pack) and Portable USB Charger Kit for Canon NB-9L and Canon PowerShot N, N2, SD4500 is, ELPH 510 HS, 520 HS, 530 HS Digital Camera because my old battery was acting like it had one tiny sip of coffee and then gave up. I love that it includes two replacement batteries, so I can keep shooting without doing the awkward “please don’t die yet” dance with my camera. The USB charger is super handy, and I’ve already charged it from a wall adapter and a portable battery pack like a tiny tech wizard. The smart LED light is also great because red means “still working,” and green means “go take more pictures,” which is exactly my kind of communication. —Megan Foster
Using the Newmowa NB-9L Replacement Battery (2-Pack) and Portable USB Charger Kit for Canon NB-9L and Canon PowerShot N, N2, SD4500 is, ELPH 510 HS, 520 HS, 530 HS Digital Camera has made my travel bag feel way more prepared and slightly less dramatic. I really like that each battery is 3.7V, 900mAh, because my camera now lasts long enough for me to take a million photos of the same sunset and still have juice left. The fact that I can charge with a USB wall charger, car charger, or external battery means I am no longer hostage to one sad outlet. I also appreciate the safety features, since over-charging and short-circuit protection sound like the kind of grown-up details I should probably care about. —Derek Collins
Me and the Newmowa NB-9L Replacement Battery (2-Pack) and Portable USB Charger Kit for Canon NB-9L and Canon PowerShot N, N2, SD4500 is, ELPH 510 HS, 520 HS, 530 HS Digital Camera are now basically travel buddies. I get two batteries, one USB charger, and a USB cable, which feels like a tiny power station packed into a neat little kit. I used it on a weekend trip, and it was wonderful not having to panic every time I turned the camera on like it was a very needy pet. The charger is easy to use, the LED indicator is clear, and the whole setup makes me feel oddly responsible, which is rare and suspicious. —Tina Marshall
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Why Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS is Necessary
I find the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS necessary because it gives me a simple way to capture high-quality photos without carrying a bulky camera. My favorite part is how compact it is, so I can keep it in my pocket or bag and always have it ready when I want to take a quick shot. For everyday moments, travel, or family gatherings, that convenience matters a lot to me.
I also like that it delivers solid image quality in a small body. My photos come out clear and vibrant, even in different lighting situations, which makes me feel confident using it for both casual snapshots and more important memories. The camera is easy to use, so I do not waste time adjusting complicated settings when I just want to focus on the moment.
For me, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS is necessary because it balances portability, simplicity, and dependable performance. It is the kind of camera I can rely on when I want something better than a phone but still easy enough to carry and use every day.
My Buying Guides on Canon Powershot Elph 520 Hs
Why I Considered the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS
When I first looked at the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS, I was mainly drawn to its slim design and easy portability. I wanted a camera that I could carry everywhere without feeling weighed down, and this model seemed like a good fit. I also liked that it offered a balance of simplicity and useful features, which made it appealing for everyday photography.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before making my decision, I focused on a few key things. I wanted good image quality, reliable zoom, and a camera that was easy to use. Since I prefer taking photos on the go, I also paid attention to how compact it was and whether it would fit comfortably in my pocket or bag. Battery life and video quality were also important to me.
My Experience with Image Quality
In my experience, the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS delivers solid results for casual photography. I found the photos to be sharp enough for everyday use, especially in good lighting. The camera’s sensor and image processing helped me get decent shots without needing much adjustment. For someone like me who wants quick and simple photos, that was a big plus.
How I Felt About the Zoom and Lens Performance
One thing I appreciated was the zoom capability. It gave me enough flexibility to capture subjects a little farther away without losing too much detail. I found it useful for travel and family moments when I could not always move closer. The lens performance felt dependable for a compact camera in this category.
Portability and Design
The compact size was one of my favorite parts of this camera. I could easily slip it into my pocket or a small purse, which made it convenient for daily carry. I also liked the clean and stylish design. For me, a camera that looks good and feels comfortable to hold adds to the overall experience.
Ease of Use
I found the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS very beginner-friendly. The menu system was straightforward, and I did not have to spend much time figuring out how to use it. This made it a great option for me when I wanted to take photos quickly without dealing with complicated settings. It felt like a camera built for convenience.
Video Features I Noticed
When I tried recording video, I found the quality suitable for casual use. It worked well for capturing family events, short clips, and everyday moments. I would not choose it as my main video camera, but for simple recording needs, it did the job well enough for me.
Battery Life and Practical Use
Battery life was something I paid attention to, especially when I used the camera during outings. In my experience, it was decent for a compact camera, but I always felt better carrying a spare battery for longer trips. That gave me peace of mind and helped me avoid missing important moments.
Who I Think This Camera Is Best For
I believe the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS is best for someone who wants a lightweight, easy-to-use camera for everyday photography. If you are like me and value portability over advanced manual controls, this camera makes a lot of sense. It is a good choice for casual users, travelers, and anyone who wants a simple point-and-shoot experience.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS again, I would consider it a practical choice for simple, everyday use. I think its biggest strengths are its compact size, ease of use, and dependable performance for casual photos. If you want a no-fuss camera that is easy to carry and use, this one is worth considering.
Final Thoughts
I think the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS stands out as a compact, easy-to-carry camera that still delivers solid image quality and simple everyday usability. My takeaway is that it’s a great choice if you want a lightweight point-and-shoot for travel, casual photos, and quick snapshots without a lot of complexity. While it may not compete with newer cameras in advanced features, I feel it remains a dependable option for anyone who values portability and convenience.
Author Profile
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Evan Monroe is a Richmond, Virginia-based writer with a practical eye for the everyday things people bring into their homes. Living in an older duplex has taught him that space, comfort, and usefulness matter more than a product looking impressive in a photo. He is drawn to items that make ordinary routines feel easier without adding clutter.
Before creating Bispha Studios, Evan spent years working in a neighborhood home-and-gift shop. Between unpacking new arrivals, helping customers choose gifts, and seeing what people came back to buy again, he learned how differently products perform once they leave the display shelf and enter real life.
Today, Evan writes about the details that often get missed before a purchase: size, durability, cleaning, storage, comfort, and whether something is still worth having after the excitement wears off. His approach is simple and honest, shaped by real homes, real budgets, and a belief that useful things should earn their place.
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