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Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
44
Overall
44
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 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
  • Released January 2016
Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Released January 2013
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Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SX540 HS versus Nikon S6500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and S6500 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was launched 3 years later than the S6500 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S6500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX540 HS scores against the S6500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Nikon S6500

 SX540 HS S6500 
ReleasedJanuary 2016January 2013Fresher by 37 months
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Canon SX540 HS

 S6500 SX540 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Nikon S6500

 SX540 HS S6500 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX540 HS has got outside dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon S6500 has dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Canon SX540 HS versus Nikon S6500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX540 HS and the S6500.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and S6500 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The graphic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX540 HS and S6500.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Canon SX540 HS to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher SX540 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography information
Nikon S6500 Portrait photography information
47
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
43
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography advice
Nikon S6500 Street photography advice
47
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S6500 as a Sports photography camera
43
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (5.9 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (205 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S6500 as a Travel photography camera
56
MP count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (205 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S6500 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery (205 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
49
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging information
Nikon S6500 Vlogging information
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Nikon S6500
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSNikon Coolpix S6500
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Nikon Coolpix S6500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-01-05 2013-01-08
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - AMOLED display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.9 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442g (0.97 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $399 $170