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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2016
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both created by Canon. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the SX540 HS (20MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was introduced 3 years earlier than the SX540 HS which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the SX540 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX170 IS SX540 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX540 HS SX170 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2016August 2013Newer by 28 months
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX540 HS

 SX170 IS SX540 HS 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS offers exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Canon SX540 HS has dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the SX540 HS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and SX540 HS is 88 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and SX540 HS.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SX170 IS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography highlights
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX540 HS Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX540 HS
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (205 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX540 HS Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition (251 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
56
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (205 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX540 HS
49
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
48
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (205 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
Canon SX540 HS Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (251g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
29
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX540 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX540 HS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-08-22 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 DIGIC 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 5.9 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 442 grams (0.97 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 300 images 205 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $0 $399