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Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 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
  • Introduced January 2016
Olympus SZ-12
(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
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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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Olympus SZ-12

 SX540 HS SZ-12 
ReleasedJanuary 2016January 2012Fresher by 49 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution461k460kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography details
47
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
provides face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
MP count good (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX540 HS
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
44
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
slow fps (5.9 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (205 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX540 HS
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
56
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (205 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX540 HS
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
48
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery life (205 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
40
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging features
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than average (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Olympus SZ-12
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSOlympus 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