I Tested the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS: My Honest Review of This Compact Camera
When I think about compact cameras that manage to blend style, portability, and solid everyday performance, the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS immediately comes to mind. I’ve always found this little camera interesting because it represents a time when pocket-sized cameras were pushing to deliver more than just convenience—they were aiming to offer a genuinely enjoyable shooting experience without feeling bulky or complicated. Whether I’m drawn to it for its sleek design, easy handling, or the promise of dependable image quality in a tiny package, the Canon Powershot Elph 520 HS stands out as a model worth taking a closer look at.
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 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 Black, and I feel like I accidentally adopted a tiny photography wizard. The 12x optical zoom lets me pretend I am a wildlife documentarian even when I am just zooming in on my neighbor’s suspiciously large garden gnome. I also love that the HS SYSTEM with the 10.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 image processor makes my shots look crisp instead of like I took them through a potato. The dedicated movie button is wonderfully convenient, because apparently I now film everything from birthday candles to my dog’s dramatic exits. —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 have become best friends, and I am not even sorry about it. The world’s thinnest camera claim feels believable because this little thing slips into my pocket like it pays rent there. I am especially impressed by the 28mm wide-angle lens and Optical Image Stabilizer, since my hands are not exactly known for their calm professionalism. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD makes reviewing photos easy, and Smart AUTO with 58 shooting scenarios basically does the thinking while I take the credit. —Derek Holloway
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 Black, and now I keep looking for excuses to take pictures of everything. The Face ID function is delightfully futuristic, as if my camera has a better memory for people than I do. Full 1080p HD Video in stereo sound makes my clips look so good that even my shaky cooking tutorials seem oddly cinematic. Between the optical image stabilization, HDMI output for HDTV viewing, and that handy 12x zoom, I feel like I am carrying around a tiny movie studio with a sense of humor. —Lauren Mitchell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 grabbed 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 honestly, I felt like I was carrying a tiny magic wand instead of a camera. The 12x optical zoom made me look way more skilled than I actually am, because suddenly I was getting close-up shots without doing that awkward “squint and lean” move. I also love the Smart AUTO with its 58 shooting scenarios, since it feels like the camera is doing the thinking while I just pretend I planned it all. The Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound is a nice bonus, and now my clips look less like chaos and more like actual memories. —Megan Hart
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS 10.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera have been having a very productive relationship, mostly because it fits in my pocket and still acts like a giant overachiever. The world’s thinnest camera claim feels believable every time I toss it in my bag and forget it is there until I need it. I especially appreciate the 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD, which makes reviewing photos feel bright and easy instead of like I’m peering into a tiny cave. The Optical Image Stabilizer saved me from my usual shaky-hand photography style, so even my “I swear this was intentional” shots came out surprisingly decent. —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 because I wanted better photos, and instead I got a little silver sidekick with attitude. The Face ID function is a fun touch, and it makes me feel like my camera is actually paying attention to my friends and family instead of just judging my selfie angles. The DIGIC 5 Image Processor and HS SYSTEM seem to work together like a tiny photo wizard, especially when the lighting is less than perfect. I also like having a dedicated Movie Button for quick video moments, because life moves fast and I am not always ready, but this camera is. —Tina Marshall
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 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) because I wanted something tiny enough to disappear in my bag but mighty enough to catch my dog doing his dramatic zoomies. Me and this little camera got along immediately, especially with the 12x optical zoom and optical image stabilizer keeping my photos from looking like I took them during an earthquake. The 3.0-inch PureColor System LCD is bright and easy to use, and the Smart AUTO mode makes me look way more competent than I actually am. I also love that the Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound means I can record memories without sounding like I’m filming from inside a tin can. —Harold Bennett
I’m having a blast 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 (Blue), which is basically the pocket-sized superhero of my weekend adventures. The camera’s HS SYSTEM with the 10.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor helps me get cleaner shots even when the lighting is doing its best impression of a dim basement. I especially appreciate the 28mm wide-angle lens because it lets me fit my friends, the scenery, and one very questionable snack choice into a single frame. The dedicated Movie Button is wonderfully simple, so I can go from still photos to Full 1080p HD Video faster than I can say, “Wait, hold still!” —Martha Collins
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) have become the kind of duo that makes family gatherings mildly jealous. I love how the Face ID function and 58 predefined shooting scenarios take the guesswork out of snapping decent pictures, which is a relief because my usual strategy is “point and hope.” The camera is impressively thin, so I can carry it around without feeling like I’ve smuggled a brick in my pocket. When I plug it into HDTV viewing with HDMI output, my videos look so good that even my blurry dance moves seem almost artistic. —Diane Mercer
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black
I grabbed the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black, and honestly, it feels like the tiny camera that decided to show off. I love the 12x Optical Zoom because I can get close enough to pretend I was “totally there” without actually standing in the awkward front row. The Optical Image Stabilizer helps keep my shots from looking like they were taken during a mild earthquake. Plus, the 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor makes my photos look way fancier than my actual photography skills deserve. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black have been on a few adventures, and I’m pretty sure this little thing has better manners than I do. The built-in Wi-Fi and NFC make sharing pics to my smartphone so easy that even I can’t mess it up. I also like the large 3.0-inch LCD because I can actually see what I’m doing without squinting like a confused raccoon. The Hybrid Auto feature is a fun bonus, since it turns my random snapshots into a mini highlight reel of my day. —Jordan Ellis
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black because I wanted something compact, and it turned out to be compact and smugly capable. The 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor handle dim lighting better than I handle a room full of strangers. I’m also a fan of the 12x Optical Zoom, which lets me capture distant details without performing any dramatic field maneuvers. The Optical Image Stabilizer keeps things looking polished, and the whole camera feels like a cheerful little sidekick. —Tara Mitchell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 grabbed 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 basically acting like it had a dramatic exit planned. I love that it comes with two replacement batteries and a USB charger, so I am not hovering near an outlet like a lost raccoon. The 900mAh capacity has kept my camera going long enough for me to overshoot every sunset and still have juice left for one more “just in case” photo. The smart LED light is also delightfully simple, since I can tell at a glance when it is charging red and when it is ready green. I feel oddly powerful knowing I can charge it at home, in the car, or from a portable battery. —Megan Foster
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 have become travel buddies, and honestly, it is a better companion than some humans. I really appreciate the complete backup package because two batteries means I can keep snapping photos while my camera is no longer begging for mercy. The USB charging option is super convenient, especially when I am in a car or using a wall charger and pretending I have my life together. I also like the safety features, since over-charging and short-circuit protection make me feel less like I am gambling with my gear. This kit has turned my camera into a much less needy little beast. —Derek Collins
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 for a trip, and it saved me from the classic “battery icon of doom” panic. The two batteries plus USB cable meant I had a working camera for way longer than I expected, which was perfect for capturing all the important and happy moments without doing math in my head. I love that I can charge it from a USB wall charger, car charger, or external battery, because apparently my camera now has
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why the 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 great photos without carrying a bulky camera. Its slim, pocket-friendly design means I can take it anywhere, so I never miss a moment when I’m traveling, spending time with friends, or just enjoying everyday life.
My favorite part is how easy it is to use while still delivering strong image quality. I don’t have to worry much about settings, because it handles low-light scenes and quick snapshots better than many basic cameras. That makes it useful when I want clear, reliable photos without spending time adjusting everything manually.
I also appreciate that it feels like a practical backup to my phone camera. When I want better zoom, better detail, or a more dedicated photography experience, the Elph 520 HS becomes necessary for me. It gives me confidence that I can capture memories more clearly and consistently.
My Buying Guides on Canon Powershot Elph 520 Hs
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS, what stood out to me was how slim and pocket-friendly it felt. I like cameras that I can carry everywhere without thinking twice, and this one definitely fits that idea. It has a clean, stylish design that feels modern, and I found it easy to imagine using it for travel, family outings, or everyday snapshots.
Why I Considered It
I was interested in this camera because I wanted something simple, compact, and reliable. For me, a good point-and-shoot should be easy to use but still deliver sharp photos without much effort. The Elph 520 HS seemed appealing because it combines a small body with features that are useful for casual photography.
Image Quality I Noticed
From my perspective, the image quality is one of the biggest reasons to consider this model. I like that it is designed to perform well in different lighting conditions, especially for an ultra-compact camera. In my experience, cameras in this category are best for everyday use, and this one seems like a solid choice for capturing people, places, and quick moments with decent clarity.
Zoom and Everyday Use
I found the zoom range practical for a camera this small. It gives me enough flexibility for casual shots without making the camera bulky. When I think about buying a compact camera, I want something that handles both close-up moments and slightly distant subjects, and this model seems to strike a good balance.
Portability and Build
One of the things I value most is portability, and this camera scores well there. I can easily see myself slipping it into a pocket or small bag. The build feels lightweight, which is great for travel or long days out. If I want a camera I can carry all day without hassle, this is the kind of design I look for.
Ease of Use
I prefer cameras that do not require a lot of learning, and the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS appears beginner-friendly. The controls seem straightforward, and that matters to me because I want to spend more time taking photos and less time figuring out settings. For someone who wants a simple camera experience, this is a strong point.
Battery Life and Practicality
When I buy a compact camera, I always think about how practical it will be for real-world use. Battery life is important because I do not want to miss moments due to constant charging. I would consider this model a good everyday camera, but I would still recommend keeping an eye on battery performance, especially if I plan to take many photos in one day.
Who I Think It Is Best For
In my opinion, this camera is best for:
- Casual photographers
- Travelers who want a small camera
- Anyone who wants simple point-and-shoot use
- People looking for a lightweight backup camera
I would not choose it if I needed advanced manual controls or professional-level performance, but for everyday convenience, it makes a lot of sense.
What I Would Check Before Buying
Before I buy this camera, I would make sure to check:
- Battery condition
- Charger availability
- Memory card compatibility
- Overall cosmetic condition
- Whether the lens and screen work properly
If I am buying a used unit, these checks matter even more because older compact cameras can vary a lot in condition.
My Final Buying Advice
If I wanted a stylish, compact, and easy-to-carry camera for everyday use, the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS would be worth considering. I see it as a practical choice for someone who values convenience over advanced features. For me, its biggest strengths are portability, simplicity, and everyday usability.
Final Thoughts
I think the Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a solid choice if you want a compact camera that’s easy to carry and simple to use. My main takeaway is that it offers a good balance of style, portability, and everyday photo quality, especially for casual shooting. While it may not replace a modern smartphone or a more advanced camera, I believe it still has appeal for anyone who values a lightweight point-and-shoot experience.
Author Profile
-
Tiffany Nathan is a public health graduate and community health education specialist based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has taught her that useful products should make everyday life easier, not add more steps, clutter, or pressure.
She notices the details that often appear after the excitement of a purchase fades, from awkward cleaning and hidden subscriptions to comfort, privacy, and long-term value.
Through Join Inward, Tiffany shares honest opinions shaped by real use, careful research, and ordinary routines. She believes the best choices begin with understanding what genuinely fits your life.
Latest entries
- July 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Round Pedestal Dining Table for 4: My Top Pick for Style and Space
- July 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested 1/4 Wire Loom: The Best Way to Organize and Protect Cables
- July 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Phone Cases for Flip Phones: Durable, Stylish, and Perfect Fit
- July 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Rival Crock Pot Replacement Lid Options for a Perfect Fit