Clicky

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Ricoh WG-4 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 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
  • Revealed January 2016
Ricoh WG-4
(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
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

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").

Photography Glossary

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.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

				

Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Ricoh WG-4

 SX540 HS WG-4 
ReleasedJanuary 2016February 2014More modern by 24 months
Display resolution461k460kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
Ricoh WG-4 Portrait photography advice
47
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
41
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX540 HS
Street photography with Ricoh WG-4
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography info
Ricoh WG-4 Sports photography info
44
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames per second)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (205 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX540 HS
Travel photography with Ricoh WG-4
56
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (205 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
72
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography features
Ricoh WG-4 Landscape photography features
48
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (205 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
54
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery power (240 shots)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX540 HS
Vlogging with Ricoh WG-4
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
36
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX540 HS vs Ricoh WG-4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Ricoh WG-4
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSRicoh 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