Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4
69 Imaging
46 Features
44 Overall
45


90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 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
- Revealed January 2016
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Released February 2014

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Overview
In this article, we are evaluating the Canon SX540 HS and Ricoh WG-4, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Ricoh. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and WG-4 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX540 HS was introduced 24 months after the WG-4 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 Ricoh WG-4 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX540 HS matches up vs the WG-4 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Ricoh WG-4. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Ricoh WG-4 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Ricoh WG-4
SX540 HS | WG-4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | February 2014 | More modern by 24 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-4 over the Canon SX540 HS
WG-4 | SX540 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Ricoh WG-4
SX540 HS | WG-4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX540 HS has outside dimensions 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 Ricoh WG-4 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX540 HS and Ricoh WG-4 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX540 HS compared to the WG-4.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and WG-4 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX540 HS and WG-4.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to provide you with more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer SX540 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Ricoh WG-4 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Ricoh |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Ricoh WG-4 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2016-01-05 | 2014-02-05 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 6 | - |
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 | 20MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.9 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) | 10.00 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye, on + redeye |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 442 gr (0.97 lb) | 230 gr (0.51 lb) |
Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | 240 images |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6LH | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $399 | $330 |