Clicky

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
40
Features
28
Overall
35

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Key Specs

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
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon L810
  • Refreshed by Nikon L830
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon SX540 HS versus Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and L820 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SX540 HS was brought out 2 years after the L820 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX540 HS grades vs the L820 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Nikon L820

 SX540 HS L820 
ReleasedJanuary 2016January 2013Newer by 36 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX540 HS

 L820 SX540 HS 
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Nikon L820

 SX540 HS L820 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX540 HS features exterior dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Nikon L820 has specifications of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX540 HS versus Nikon L820 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SX540 HS vs the L820.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and L820 is 69 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX540 HS and L820.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to resolve greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The more modern SX540 HS should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography details
Nikon L820 Portrait photography details
47
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
supports face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L820 as a Street photography camera
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
38
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (470 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography highlights
Nikon L820 Sports photography highlights
44
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (205 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
36
long zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
resolution is good (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography info
Nikon L820 Travel photography info
56
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery (205 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
56
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (23mm)
great reach (675mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (470g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography factors
Nikon L820 Landscape photography factors
48
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery (205 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
36
relatively wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L820 as a Vlogging camera
29
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
24
relatively wide (23mm)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (470g)
Photography Glossary

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Nikon L820
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSNikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Nikon Coolpix L820
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2013-01-29
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.9 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442 grams (0.97 pounds) 470 grams (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 205 photographs 320 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-6LH 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $399 $192