Model Design/ Appearance
Canon’s Digital ELPH series aims for style and appeal, so the SD500’s slim profile and attractive silver finish follow suit. This model does depart from the series’ sharp, flat lines with its “Perpetual Curve Design.” The new design adds a curve to where the right hand grips the camera, making it more comfortable to hold while still remaining compact.

Size / Portability
With compact dimensions of 3.37 x 2.24 x 1.04 inches, the SD500 follows in the small sizing of the Canon Digital ELPH line. This model appears similar in size to the SD400, but has rounded edges instead of the sharper lines. Weighing 6 ounces without a battery or memory card, the Canon SD500 fits comfortably in a pocket or purse. The front and back surfaces are flat, which makes carrying the trim camera effortless.

Handling Ability
The strength of the PowerShot SD500’s design is its compact, transportable form, small enough to seamlessly slip in a pocket, while offering rounded accents for comfortable shooting. There is a rudimentary finger grip on the front of the right-hand grip, but it’s made of a polished material, which isn’t the best for stability. The thumb rests on the main mode dial in the back of the camera, which acts as a grip of sorts. While the SD500 doesn’t have the greatest gripping system, users can hang onto it just fine if they don’t slather up with sunscreen just prior to use.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
The buttons are all adequately sized and spaced. They are intuitively placed; i.e. the Display button is located next to the LCD screen. The general layout of controls on the SD500 should be instantly accessible to all level users.

Menu
When the function button is pressed, the following menu appears: My Colors, Exposure Compensation, White Balance, ISO, Compression, and Picture Size. The menus are composed of text, so they are easy to follow and navigate. The menu appears as an overlay to the live feed, so when users scroll through options, they get a real-time view of the setting’s consequences. For example, the color tint of the lighting changes as white balance options are scrolled through.

Ease of Use
The comfortable handling of the SD500, coupled with the easy navigation of control buttons and menus, make this Digital ELPH easy to use. Users can choose whether to control the camera automatically or manually with a flip of the mode dial.