Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12
69 Imaging
45 Features
44 Overall
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89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
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Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 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
- Introduced January 2016
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Released January 2012
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SX540 HS was manufactured 4 years later than the SZ-12 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX540 HS scores versus the SZ-12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Olympus SZ-12. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Olympus SZ-12
| SX540 HS | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2016 | January 2012 | Fresher by 49 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial precise focusing | |||
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX540 HS
| SZ-12 | SX540 HS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Olympus SZ-12
| SX540 HS | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX540 HS enjoys physical measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SX540 HS and the SZ-12.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and SZ-12 is 69 and 89 respectively.
Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specs. The graphic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX540 HS and SZ-12.
All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Canon SX540 HS to deliver extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX540 HS will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.
Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Olympus SZ-12 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Olympus |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Olympus SZ-12 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Introduced | 2016-01-05 | 2012-01-10 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | DIGIC 6 | - |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
| Peak resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4288 x 3216 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/3.0-6.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 0cm | - |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 461k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1700 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.9 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 442 grams (0.97 lbs) | 226 grams (0.50 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
| 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 | 205 photos | 220 photos |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NB-6LH | LI-50B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $399 | $350 |