Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500
69 Imaging
46 Features
44 Overall
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91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
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Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Key Specs
(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
- Announced January 2016
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released April 2015
- Earlier Model is Sony WX350

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Overview
Below, we will be comparing the Canon SX540 HS and Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX540 HS was revealed 9 months later than the WX500 and they are both 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 WX500 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SX540 HS grades against the WX500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX540 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The full galleries are available at Canon SX540 HS Gallery & Sony WX500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Sony WX500
SX540 HS | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | April 2015 | More recent by 9 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Canon SX540 HS
WX500 | SX540 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Sony WX500
SX540 HS | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX540 HS features external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).
Check the Canon SX540 HS and Sony WX500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX540 HS compared to the WX500.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX540 HS and WX500 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The visual below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX540 HS and WX500.
To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon SX540 HS to deliver more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent SX540 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX540 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2016-01-05 | 2015-04-14 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 20MP | 18MP |
Anti alias 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 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 461k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.9fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 442 gr (0.97 lbs) | 236 gr (0.52 lbs) |
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 rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 205 photos | 360 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $399 | $348 |