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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Revealed September 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX40 HS
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
  • Released January 2016
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX540 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both offered by Canon. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the SX30 IS (14MP) and SX540 HS (20MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was announced 6 years before the SX540 HS and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX30 IS grades vs the SX540 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX30 IS SX540 HS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX30 IS

 SX540 HS SX30 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2016September 2010More recent by 64 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX540 HS

 SX30 IS SX540 HS 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX30 IS offers physical dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Canon SX540 HS has measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX540 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SX30 IS against the SX540 HS.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX30 IS and SX540 HS is 64 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX30 IS and SX540 HS.

Plainly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Canon SX540 HS to provide you with greater detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography information
Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography information
42
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
47
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
supports face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX540 HS as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition (601 grams)
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX540 HS
43
great zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
max frames per second low (5.9 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (205 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography information
Canon SX540 HS Travel photography information
58
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (840mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (601g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
56
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (205 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography details
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
48
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery (205 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX540 HS Vlogging factors
50
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition (601 grams)
29
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing external mic socket
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX540 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISCanon PowerShot SX540 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-09-14 2016-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focus distance 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 5.9 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in 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 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 601 gr (1.32 pounds) 442 gr (0.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 205 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-7L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $400 $399