Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500
69 Imaging
45 Features
44 Overall
44
92 Imaging
39 Features
51 Overall
43
Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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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This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Nikon Coolpix S6500. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Nikon S6500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Nikon S6500
| SX540 HS | S6500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2016 | January 2013 | Fresher by 37 months | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 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.
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.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and S6500 is 69 and 92 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon S6500 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Nikon 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 |