Clicky

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 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
  • Launched January 2016
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX540 HS and Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and X70 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The SX540 HS was introduced 6 years later than the X70 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX540 HS scores versus the X70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Pentax X70

 SX540 HS X70 
RevealedJanuary 2016March 2009More recent by 84 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX540 HS

 X70 SX540 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Pentax X70

 SX540 HS X70 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX540 HS features exterior measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Pentax X70 has sizing of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") and a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX540 HS and Pentax X70 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SX540 HS versus the X70.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and X70 is 69 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX540 HS and X70.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to give you more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The more recent SX540 HS will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Portrait photography camera
47
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
comes with face detection focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
29
has manual focus
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Street photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Street photography camera
48
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (5.9 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (205 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
50
long zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
56
good megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (205 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
52
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
very long zoom (624mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (205 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
36
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging info
Pentax X70 Vlogging info
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
24
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Pentax X70
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSPentax X70
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Pentax X70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2009-03-02
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
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 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 0cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.9fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442 grams (0.97 pounds) 410 grams (0.90 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $399 $200