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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
44
Overall
44
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Sony Alpha A7 II front
Portability
69
Imaging
69
Features
84
Overall
75

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II 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
  • Released January 2016
Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 599g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Released November 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A7
  • Replacement is Sony A7 III
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the A7 II (24MP) is relatively comparable but the SX540 HS (1/2.3") and A7 II (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX540 HS was introduced 14 months later than the A7 II which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SX540 HS scores against the A7 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Sony A7 II

 SX540 HS A7 II 
ReleasedJanuary 2016November 2014More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Sony A7 II over the Canon SX540 HS

 A7 II SX540 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k461kClearer screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Sony A7 II

 SX540 HS A7 II 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX540 HS offers outer measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony A7 II has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SX540 HS and the A7 II.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and A7 II is 69 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX540 HS and A7 II.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SX540 HS having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A7 II will produce extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer SX540 HS will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
Sony A7 II Portrait photography advice
47
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
81
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography info
Sony A7 II Street photography info
47
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
80
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography factors
Sony A7 II Sports photography factors
43
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
max fps very slow (5.9 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (205 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX540 HS
Travel photography with Sony A7 II
56
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (205 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
61
environment sealing
good resolution (24MP)
bad battery pack (350 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 II Landscape photography factors
47
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery (205 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging information
Sony A7 II Vlogging information
29
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
36
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony A7 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Sony A7 II
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSSony Alpha A7 II
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Sony Alpha A7 II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2016-01-05 2014-11-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 117
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.4-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.9 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442g (0.97 lbs) 599g (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 2449
Other
Battery life 205 photos 350 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $399 $1,456