Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!
The goal of this overview is to provide a detailed comparison of two popular camera models from Small Sensor Superzoom category, introduced by Canon. We are going to take a closer look at the technical and physical characteristics, features, and performance. The models we are going to assess and compare in this review are PowerShot SX420 IS and PowerShot SX540 HS. The models we are going to compare in our review have different sensors. Canon PowerShot SX420 IS features a CCD sensor that has a resolution of 20.0 MP. Canon PowerShot SX540 HS, on the contrary, has a different BSI-CMOS sensor with 20.0 MP resolution.
Now, before we can move on to our comparison, let's take a moment to look at the key characteristics of Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS.
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Key Features:
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Key Features:
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 vs 1/2000 | Faster shutter speed |
Weight | 325 g vs 442 g | 117 g lighter |
Manual Exposure Mode | Yes vs No | Has Manual Exposure Mode |
Continuous Shooting | 5.9 fps vs 0.5 fps | 5.4 fps faster |
Flash Range | 5.5 vs 5 | 0.5 better flash range |
Screen Resolution | 461k dots vs 230k dots | 50.1% higher resolution screen |
Battery Life | 205 shots vs 195 shots | 10 more frames with a single charge |
Max Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720 | Higher Resolution Video |
Screen Size | 3″ | 3″ | Large display |
AutoFocus Face Detection | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
Built-In Flash | Yes | Yes | External flash available |
Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes | Built-in stabilization |
Touch Screen | No | No | No touch screen |
Screen Resolution | 230k dots | 461k dots | Small screen resolution |
Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type | No flexible viewing angles |
Viewfinder | No | No | No ViewFinder |
Raw Support | No | No | Doesn's support RAW format |
Sensor Resolution | 20.0 MP | 20.0 MP | Small sensor resolution |
Microphone Port | No | No | No microphone port |
Headphone Port | No | No | No headphone port |
Timelapse Recording | No | No | No timelapse recording |
External Flash Shoe | No | No | No Flash Shoe |
Bracketing | No | No | No AE bracketing |
Continuous Shooting | 0.5 fps | 5.9 fps | Low continuous shooting |
Environmental Sealing | No | No | No environmental sealing |
Battery Life | 195 shots | 205 shots | Low battery life |
Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS from the front view.
Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.
After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.
Speaking of weight, Canon PowerShot SX420 IS is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 117g less than the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.
Are Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS any different in terms of sensor type?
Take a look below to find the comparison of Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS by the size of their sensors.
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS are identical by this indicator, as each feature a sensor of the same size. Thus, both cameras will provide the same level of control in terms of the depth of field if you use them with the same focal length and aperture.
If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.
This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.
Photography Type | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Canon PowerShot SX540 HS |
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Street Photography |
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Sports Photography |
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Daily Photography |
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Landscape Photography |
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Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Canon PowerShot SX420 IS or Canon PowerShot SX540 HS, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.
What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Canon PowerShot SX540 HS deserves a higher Total Score than the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | |
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General | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model | PowerShot SX420 IS | PowerShot SX540 HS |
Announced | Jan 05, 2016 | Jan 05, 2016 |
Body Type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor | ||
Sensor Type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor Dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 28.07 mm2 | 28.07 mm2 |
Sensor Resolution | 20.0 MP | 20.0 MP |
Max Image Resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 5184 x 3888 |
Max Native ISO | 1,600 | 3,200 |
Max Boosted ISO | n/a | n/a |
Min Native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW Support | ||
Lens | ||
Manual Focus | ||
Lens Mount | Fixed lens | Fixed lens |
Number of Lenses | n/a | n/a |
Focal Length Multiplier | n/a | n/a |
Macro Focus Range | 0 | 0 |
AutoFocus | ||
AF Touch | ||
AF Continuous | ||
AF Single | ||
AF Tracking | ||
AF Selective | ||
AF Center | ||
AF Multi Area | ||
AF Live View | ||
AF Face Detection | ||
AF Contrast Detection | ||
AF Phase Detection | ||
Number of Focus Points | n/a | n/a |
Number of Cross Focus Points | n/a | n/a |
Screen | ||
Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen Size | 3″ | 3″ |
Screen Resolution | 230k dots | 461k dots |
Live View | ||
Touch Screen | ||
ViewFinder | ||
ViewFinder | ||
ViewFinder Resolution | 0k dots | 0k dots |
ViewFinder Coverage | % | % |
ViewFinder Magnification | ||
Photography Features | ||
Min Shutter Speed | 15 s | 15 s |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 s | 1/2000 s |
Continuous Shooting | 0.5 fps | 5.9 fps |
Shutter Priority | ||
Aperture Priority | ||
Manual Exposure Mode | ||
Exposure Compensation | ||
Custom White Balance | ||
Image Stabilization | ||
Built-in Flash | ||
Flash Range | 5 | 5.5 |
Flash Modes | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | Auto, slow synchro |
External Flash | ||
AE Bracketing | ||
WB Bracketing | ||
Exposure Modes | ||
Multi-Segment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF-Area | ||
Center Weighted | ||
Video Features | ||
Video Resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Max Video Resolution | 1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Video Formats | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone Port | ||
Headphone Port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless Connectivity | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
Physical | ||
Environmental Sealing | ||
Water Proof | ||
Dust Proof | ||
Shock Proof | ||
Crush Proof | ||
Freeze Proof | ||
Weight | 325 g | 442 g |
Physical Dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85 mm | 120 x 82 x 92 mm |
Battery Life | 195 shots | 205 shots |
Battery Type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Model | NB-11LH | NB-6LH |
Other Features | ||
Self Timer | ||
Timelapse Recording | ||
GPS | ||
Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage Slots | 1 | 1 |
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