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Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS

Portability
81
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Key Specs

Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2014
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
  • Released January 2016
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Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SX400 IS versus Canon SX540 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX400 IS (16MP) and the SX540 HS (20MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX400 IS was released 17 months earlier than the SX540 HS which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX400 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX400 IS grades against the SX540 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX400 IS SX540 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX400 IS

 SX540 HS SX400 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2016July 2014Newer by 17 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX400 IS and Canon SX540 HS

 SX400 IS SX540 HS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX400 IS has physical measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Canon SX540 HS has proportions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX400 IS versus Canon SX540 HS in the all new 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 select during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SX400 IS and the SX540 HS.

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX400 IS and SX540 HS is 81 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The pic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX400 IS and SX540 HS.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SX540 HS to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SX400 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography factors
36
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
comes with face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Street photography information
Canon SX540 HS Street photography information
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX400 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX540 HS
42
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (190 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (205 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Travel photography advice
Canon SX540 HS Travel photography advice
60
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (190 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
56
good MP (20MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (205 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX400 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX540 HS
41
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery life (190 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
48
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (205 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX540 HS as a Vlogging camera
28
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
29
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Canon SX400 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX400 IS and Canon SX540 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX400 ISCanon PowerShot SX540 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX400 IS Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-07-29 2016-01-05
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip 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 megapixels 20 megapixels
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 format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focusing distance 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.9 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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 input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lb) 442 gr (0.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") 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 190 images 205 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11LH NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $229 $399