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Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 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
  • Released January 2016
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX540 HS versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was unveiled 4 years after the VS20 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX540 HS matches up against the VS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Pentax VS20

 SX540 HS VS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016January 2012Newer by 49 months
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX540 HS

 VS20 SX540 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Pentax VS20

 SX540 HS VS20 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX540 HS has external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX540 HS versus Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SX540 HS and the VS20.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and VS20 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The picture here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX540 HS and VS20.

Plainly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX540 HS to provide you with more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The newer SX540 HS should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
47
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography information
Pentax VS20 Street photography information
48
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX540 HS
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
44
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
max fps low (5.9 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (205 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery (205 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
48
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (205 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging highlights
Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
29
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
30
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-01-05 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442g (0.97 pounds) 235g (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $106