
Canon
Canon 5685B001 PowerShot ELPH 510 HS 12x Zoom Camera
★★★★★
Capture Life's Moments in Stunning Detail Introducing the Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS, a marvel of engineering that packs high performance into an ultra-slim design. Experience vibrant, clear imagery and seamless Full HD video recording, all in a camera that fits comfortably in your pocket. Key F...
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Overview
Capture Life's Moments in Stunning Detail
Introducing the Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS, a marvel of engineering that packs high performance into an ultra-slim design. Experience vibrant, clear imagery and seamless Full HD video recording, all in a camera that fits comfortably in your pocket.
Key Features
- 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with HS SYSTEM: Capture stunning photos even in low light with reduced noise and enhanced clarity.
- 12x Optical Zoom with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens: Get closer to your subject or capture sweeping landscapes with ease and versatility.
- Full HD 1080p Video Recording: Record your memories in high definition with stereo sound and HDMI output for easy playback on your HDTV.
- 3.2-inch Touch Panel LCD: Enjoy intuitive operation and easy viewing of your photos and videos with a responsive touch screen.
- Intelligent IS: Automatically optimizes image stabilization for various shooting conditions, ensuring sharp and steady images.
Specifications
- Image Sensor: 12.1 Megapixel CMOS
- Processor: DIGIC 4 Image Processor
- Lens: 12x Optical Zoom, 28mm Wide-Angle
- Image Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilizer
- LCD Screen: 3.2-inch Touch Panel LCD
- Video Recording: Full HD 1080p with Stereo Sound
- ISO: Up to 3200
- Special Features: High-Speed Burst Mode, Super Slow Motion Movie, Smart AUTO (32 scenes)
Specifications
Optical Zoom
12x
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 28mm wide-angle starting focal length captures wider scenes than the 35mm-equivalent starting point found on many competing compact cameras.
- 12x optical zoom range covers wide interiors through moderate telephoto — reducing the situations where a second camera or lens is needed.
- Full HD 1080p video with HDMI output enables direct TV playback without a laptop or media player.
- 3.2-inch touch panel LCD with touch-to-focus provides a faster, more intuitive subject selection experience than directional-pad navigation.
- DIGIC 4 processor enables high-speed burst mode and Super Slow Motion video capture — features not common in the compact camera category at this size.
👎 Cons
- Maximum ISO of 3200 is the ceiling for available-light shooting — at ISO 1600 and above, the 12.1MP CMOS sensor on this generation shows visible noise that limits print and crop potential.
- There is no viewfinder — in bright sunlight, framing relies entirely on the 3.2" LCD, which can be difficult to read in high-ambient-light conditions.
- The f/stop range is not specified in available documentation — buyers who shoot in variable light conditions should verify maximum aperture before purchase.
- As a discontinued model, accessories and replacement batteries have limited new stock availability; third-party sourcing may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ELPH 510 HS have optical image stabilization, or only digital?
It uses Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) — a physical lens element shift system, not digital cropping. The Intelligent IS mode automatically selects between multiple stabilization modes depending on detected motion type (panning, tripod, handheld).
What is the effective focal length range of the 12x zoom?
The lens starts at 28mm equivalent — wide enough for interior shots and group photos — and extends to 336mm equivalent at full telephoto, providing meaningful reach for subjects at moderate distance.
Can the ELPH 510 HS record to an external TV or display?
Yes. It has HDMI output for direct playback of Full HD 1080p video and photos on an external HDTV, without requiring a computer as an intermediary.
What does the Smart AUTO system do, and how many scenes does it recognize?
Smart AUTO analyzes the scene and selects from 32 preset scene modes — including backlit subjects, night portraits, macro, and snow — adjusting exposure, focus, and flash automatically. It requires no manual mode selection from the user.
Does the touchscreen allow touch-to-focus?
The 3.2-inch Touch Panel LCD supports touch-based operation including touch shutter and touch focus area selection — a meaningful shooting convenience for a camera in this category.