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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Revealed January 2016
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX540 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the SX540 HS (20MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was announced 3 years earlier than the SX540 HS and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX160 IS grades versus the SX540 HS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX160 IS SX540 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX540 HS SX160 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2016June 2013Fresher by 30 months
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX540 HS

 SX160 IS SX540 HS 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX160 IS has got external dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Canon SX540 HS has specifications of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX540 HS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the SX540 HS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and SX540 HS is 86 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The visual underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and SX540 HS.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon SX540 HS to deliver greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older SX160 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography information
Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography information
46
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography info
Canon SX540 HS Street photography info
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
48
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX540 HS
51
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
great battery (380 shots)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
44
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (205 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX540 HS Travel photography info
69
great battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (291g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
56
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (205 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
48
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (205 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging information
Canon SX540 HS Vlogging information
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (291g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX540 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX540 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-06-21 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 DIGIC 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 5.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 gr (0.64 pounds) 442 gr (0.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 shots 205 shots
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $199 $399