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Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2014
  • Older Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 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
  • Launched January 2016
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Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX520 HS and Canon SX540 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both produced by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the SX540 HS (20MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was manufactured 17 months prior to the SX540 HS making them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX520 HS grades against the SX540 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX540 HS

 SX520 HS SX540 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX540 HS SX520 HS 
LaunchedJanuary 2016July 2014Newer by 17 months

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Canon SX540 HS

 SX520 HS SX540 HS 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution461k461kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX520 HS provides exterior measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Canon SX540 HS has proportions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX520 HS and Canon SX540 HS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SX520 HS compared to the SX540 HS.

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX520 HS and SX540 HS is 69 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The image below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and SX540 HS.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX540 HS to result in extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged SX520 HS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX540 HS as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
47
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
features face detect focus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography factors
Canon SX540 HS Street photography factors
46
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
48
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography info
Canon SX540 HS Sports photography info
45
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (205 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography features
Canon SX540 HS Travel photography features
55
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
56
good megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (205 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography highlights
45
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
48
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery pack (205 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging features
Canon SX540 HS Vlogging features
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
29
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Canon SX520 HS vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Canon SX540 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSCanon PowerShot SX540 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-07-29 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4+ DIGIC 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 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
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focusing range 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 5.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 5.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441g (0.97 lbs) 442g (0.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 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 210 shots 205 shots
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $219 $399