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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 front
Portability
87
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 322g - 112 x 67 x 41mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ90
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS60
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS80
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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the ZS70 (20MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was introduced 15 months earlier than the ZS70 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS70 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX540 HS scores against the ZS70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Panasonic ZS70

 SX540 HS ZS70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS70 over the Canon SX540 HS

 ZS70 SX540 HS 
LaunchedApril 2017January 2016More modern by 15 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k461kCrisper display (+579k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS70

 SX540 HS ZS70 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX540 HS provides outer dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS70 has specifications of 112mm x 67mm x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 322 grams (0.71 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX540 HS versus the ZS70.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and ZS70 is 69 and 87 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX540 HS and ZS70.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you would want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SX540 HS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS70 Portrait photography details
47
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Street photography camera
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
has focus via touch
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
max frames per second very slow (5.9 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (205 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
61
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS70 Travel photography factors
56
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery (205 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
79
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
has focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS70 Landscape photography factors
48
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery (205 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
62
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (380 shots)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Vlogging camera
29
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
74
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
missing external mic socket
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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS70
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-01-05 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 Venus Engine
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 49
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.9 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.60 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 lb) 322 grams (0.71 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 112 x 67 x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" 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 380 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $399 $450