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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Revealed January 2016
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was introduced 3 years later than the HX30V and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX540 HS grades versus the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Sony HX30V

 SX540 HS HX30V 
ReleasedJanuary 2016February 2012Fresher by 47 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Canon SX540 HS

 HX30V SX540 HS 
Display resolution922k461kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Sony HX30V

 SX540 HS HX30V 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX540 HS provides outer measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX540 HS compared to the HX30V.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX540 HS and HX30V is 69 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through specifications. The graphic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX540 HS and HX30V.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX540 HS to give extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher SX540 HS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
47
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
provides face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
45
manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX540 HS
Street photography with Sony HX30V
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography features
Sony HX30V Sports photography features
44
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
max fps low (5.9 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (205 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
56
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (205 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX540 HS
Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
48
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery pack (205 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
50
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX540 HS
Vlogging with Sony HX30V
29
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Sony HX30V
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 BIONZ
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.9fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442g (0.97 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 320 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $399 $420