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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 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
  • Launched January 2016
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched March 2016
Photography Glossary

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the HX80 (18MP) is relatively close and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was unveiled 2 months prior to the HX80 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SX540 HS matches up against the HX80 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Sony HX80

 SX540 HS HX80 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Canon SX540 HS

 HX80 SX540 HS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Sony HX80

 SX540 HS HX80 
LaunchedJanuary 2016March 2016Same age
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX540 HS has got physical 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) while the Sony HX80 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SX540 HS against the HX80.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and HX80 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The visual here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX540 HS and HX80.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX540 HS to provide you with extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX80 Portrait photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX540 HS
Street photography with Sony HX80
48
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245g)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography features
Sony HX80 Sports photography features
44
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (205 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (390 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography information
Sony HX80 Travel photography information
56
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (205 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
76
better than average battery life (390 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery (205 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
49
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
better than average battery life (390 shots)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging features
Sony HX80 Vlogging features
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
75
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no external microphone jack
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Sony HX80
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2016-03-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 20 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442g (0.97 lb) 245g (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 images 390 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $399 $368