Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20
69 Imaging
46 Features
44 Overall
45


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Pentax Optio VS20. The full galleries are available at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Pentax VS20
SX540 HS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2016 | ![]() | January 2012 | Newer by 49 months |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Pentax 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 |