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Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2016
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
  • Introduced January 2016
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Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX540 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are sold by Canon. The resolution of the SX420 IS (20MP) and the SX540 HS (20MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was released very close to the SX540 HS so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SX420 IS grades versus the SX540 HS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX420 IS SX540 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX540 HS SX420 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX540 HS

 SX420 IS SX540 HS 
IntroducedJanuary 2016January 2016Similar generation
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS provides outside dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Canon SX540 HS has measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX540 HS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SX420 IS compared to the SX540 HS.

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and SX540 HS is 80 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX420 IS and SX540 HS.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you should expect similar quality of photographs though you will need to factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
offers face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography details
Canon SX540 HS Street photography details
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
48
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX540 HS Sports photography advice
41
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
max fps low (0.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery (195 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
44
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (205 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX420 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX540 HS
61
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (195 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
56
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (205 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography highlights
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (195 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
48
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery life (205 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging information
Canon SX540 HS Vlogging information
29
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX420 IS vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Canon SX540 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISCanon PowerShot SX540 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2016-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5152 x 3864 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focus distance 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 0.5 frames/s 5.9 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 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
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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 pounds) 442 grams (0.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 195 photos 205 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11LH NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $299 $399