Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V
69 Imaging
45 Features
44 Overall
44


91 Imaging
43 Features
63 Overall
51
Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Sony HX90V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Sony HX90V
SX540 HS | HX90V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2016 | ![]() | April 2015 | More modern by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Canon SX540 HS
HX90V | SX540 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper 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 dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony HX90V Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Sony 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 |