Even while the Canon SX540 HS is entirely identical to its predecessor in terms of its fundamental design, outward appearance, and overall feel, except for a new model badge, this is not always a negative aspect of the camera.
The body design of the new SX540 HS continues to be essential, curved, comfortable, and easy to operate in all aspects. This is because the designers took the idea that “if it isn’t busted, don’t modify it.” The Canon SX540 HS is a straightforward and straightforward digital camera that offers basic controls and ease of use. It has a strong zoom lens with a variable focal length range, making it perfect for photographing various objects, from landscapes to far-off animals.
Key Specs
- Even in dim conditions, the 20.3 Megapixel* CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 6 Image Processor work together to help provide images of exceptional quality.
- Images and movies may be easily shared and transferred thanks to the device’s built-in Wi-Fi® and NFC connectivity.
- Take stunning 1080p Full HD footage at 60 frames per second and record it with stereo sound.
- The Zoom Framing Assist tool now has a lock button option, which enables faster and more precise subject detection.
- Even when viewed at an acute angle, the large 3.0-inch LCD, which has about 461,000 dots, is simple to read.
- You may record up to four seconds of video before each image you capture with Hybrid Auto. The feature will then automatically merge each movie with the still image to create a little video summary of your day.
- The camera can automatically aggregate photographs and videos from a certain day or event into a little highlight reel complete with music and effects using Story Highlights.
However, when compared to the prior model, we can observe that there have been some significant improvements made to the engine. The last chip, which had a resolution of 16 megapixels, has been replaced with a brand-new CMOS sensor that has a resolution of 20 megapixels. Despite this, its dimensions have not changed, and it still has a chip size of 0.5 by 0.3 inches.
The DIGIC 6 image processor, which is both quicker and more powerful, has been upgraded to work with this modernized sensor. Therefore, the SX540 HS skips a generation, moving directly from Canon’s DIGIC 4 image processor to the company’s most recent series of image processors.
According to Canon, combining the new sensor and CPU should result in enhanced picture detail and aid in improving image quality in environments with less available light.
The addition to the DIGIC 6 image processor also raises the video recording frame rate from 30p to 60p at Full HD (1920 x 1080). This should improve the video’s overall quality while shooting footage of fast-paced action and other moving scenes. Videos are captured using the MP4 format, which is compatible with mobile devices, and contain stereo sound due to the onboard stereo microphones.
This model line saw the return of wireless connectivity with the model’s release from the previous year, and this year’s model retains this amenity. Wi-Fi connection and NFC technologies are present in the SX540 HS, just as in previous models. A button on the rear of the camera enables smartphone communication with a single touch. Using the free companion app, you can quickly and easily upload photos to your smartphone or tablet (for iOS and Android).
In addition, the SX540 HS is compatible with the Canon Connect Station CS100 HDTV set-top box, which allows for the fast and easy sharing, printing, and showing of photographs and video, as well as the backing up of material from the camera to the built-in storage space of the Connect Station.
The Canon SX540 HS comes with a monitor that is non-articulated, non-touchscreen, and 3.0 inches in size. The LCD has a resolution of 461K dots.
As indicated, the 50x optical zoom lens is the same as in the prior generation. Featuring a diverse focal length range beginning with a very wide 24mm-equivalent focal length, ideal for vast panoramas and other landscape photographs, and ending with a convenient 1200mm-equivalent super-telephoto focal length, which is friendly to nature and animal subjects. The maximum aperture, which is varied but stays the same throughout the zoom range, ranges from f/3.4 at the wide end to f/6.5 at the telephoto end.
The camera’s operability, however, has seen some minor improvements, including adding a Zoom Framing Assist function that now uses Image Stabilization to help find and frame the subject of your shot automatically. This is a feature that comes in very handy when using today’s increasingly powerful super-zoom lenses.
In a related vein, an improved auto-zooming function uses the facial recognition system to automatically zoom the lens to the appropriate focal length for the type of photo you have selected, such as a portrait, upper body, or whole-body photo. This function is similar to the one found on smartphones.
A new function known as “Story Highlights” has also been added to the camera. With this function, the camera can assemble films and still photos into a highlight reel independently without the need for additional computer software.
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Specifications
| Body type | SLR-like (bridge) |
|---|---|
| Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC 6 |
| ISO | Auto, ISO 80-3200 |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Optical |
| Uncompressed format | No |
| JPEG quality levels | Superfine, fine |
| Focal length (equiv.) | 24–1200 mm |
| Optical zoom | 50× |
| Maximum aperture | F3.4–6.5 |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View |
| Digital zoom | Yes (4X) |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Normal focus range | 5 cm (1.97″) |
| Macro focus range | 0 cm (0″) |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 461,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | None |
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject / scene modes | Yes |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) |
| External flash | No |
| Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro |
| Continuous drive | 5.9 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | NB-6LH lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 205 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 442 g (0.97 lb / 15.59 oz) |
| Dimensions | 120 x 82 x 92 mm (4.72 x 3.23 x 3.62″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | No |
| GPS | None |
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Conclusion
Regarding photographing animals and sporting events, the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS holds its own. Because it has a maximum focal length comparable to 1200mm for full frames, it should be possible for you to take photographs that are rather clear, even of distant subjects. The camera has a maximum continuous shooting speed of 8 frames per second, which is also a pretty rapid pace, and it clears its buffer very instantly.
It also performs an excellent job of smoothing down camera shaking, which is useful when shooting at a very extended focal length because of the longer focal length. However, its autofocus technology has trouble keeping the focus on moving subjects. Furthermore, although its tracking performance improves when the camera is switched to the “Sports” mode, this mode prevents you from adjusting the exposure settings. In addition, the construction appears to be of poor quality, even though it is generally pleasant to handle.
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Pros & Cons
- Unimaginably broad depth of field.
- Excellent overall stabilization performance.
- A quick time to empty the buffer.
- Build quality is around average.
- Unable to capture images in the RAW format.
- Poor autofocus performance.
