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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
44
Overall
44
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V 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
  • Announced January 2016
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is very close and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was released 9 months after the HX90V so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX90V being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX540 HS matches up versus the HX90V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Sony HX90V

 SX540 HS HX90V 
IntroducedJanuary 2016April 2015More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Canon SX540 HS

 HX90V SX540 HS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Sony HX90V

 SX540 HS HX90V 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX540 HS enjoys physical dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Sony HX90V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX540 HS against the HX90V.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and HX90V is 69 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by researching specs. The image below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX540 HS and HX90V.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SX540 HS should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
Sony HX90V Portrait photography advice
47
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
45
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
offers face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography advice
Sony HX90V Street photography advice
47
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Sports photography camera
43
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (205 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (360 per charge)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography factors
Sony HX90V Travel photography factors
56
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (205 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
76
better than average battery life (360 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography details
Sony HX90V Landscape photography details
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery (205 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
53
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
better than average battery life (360 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging advice
Sony HX90V Vlogging advice
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
75
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Sony HX90V
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-01-05 2015-04-14
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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max 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 display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
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 settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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 BuiltIn
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 pictures 360 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $399 $440