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Canon SX540 vs SX620

The Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and the Canon PowerShot SX620 HS are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2016 and May 2016. Both the SX540 and the SX620 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20.2 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon SX540
versus
Canon SX620
Canon SX540   Canon SX620
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5 25-625mm f/3.2-6.6
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/60p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200 ISO 80-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 461k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5.9 shutter flaps per second 2.5 shutter flaps per second
205 shots per battery charge295 shots per battery charge
120 x 82 x 92 mm, 442 g 97 x 57 x 28 mm, 182 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and the Canon PowerShot SX620 HS? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon SX540 and the Canon SX620 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The SX620 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, red), while the SX540 is only available in black.

Size Canon SX540 vs Canon SX620
Compare SX540 versus SX620 top
Comparison SX540 or SX620 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon SX620 is considerably smaller (44 percent) than the Canon SX540. Moreover, the SX620 is substantially lighter (59 percent) than the SX540. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX540 nor the SX620 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX540 gets 205 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the SX620 can take 295 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-13L power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX540 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 442 g 205 n Jan 2016 399ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX620 97 mm 57 mm 28 mm 182 g 295 n May 2016 279ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 200D 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III 115 mm 78 mm 51 mm 399 g 200 Y Oct 2017 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II 98 mm 58 mm 31 mm 206 g 235 n Jan 2017 529ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M6 112 mm 68 mm 45 mm 390 g 295 n Feb 2017 779ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX420 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 195 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX720 110 mm 64 mm 36 mm 270 g 250 n Feb 2016 379ebay.com
12.
 
Canon G9 X 98 mm 58 mm 31 mm 209 g 220 n Oct 2015 529ebay.com
13.
 
Canon SX410 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 185 n Feb 2015 279ebay.com
14.
 
Canon SX530 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 442 g 210 n Jan 2015 429ebay.com
15.
 
Canon SX610 105 mm 61 mm 27 mm 191 g 270 n Jan 2015 249ebay.com
16.
 
Canon SX710 113 mm 66 mm 35 mm 269 g 230 n Jan 2015 349ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The SX620 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the SX540, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

In terms of chip-set technology, the SX540 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 6) than the SX620 (DIGIC 4+), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon SX540 and Canon SX620 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20.2 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the SX540 and the SX620 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the SX620 is a somewhat more recent model (by 4 months) than the SX540, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The Canon PowerShot SX620 HS offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

SX540 versus SX620 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon SX540 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.780648
2.
 
Canon SX620 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.411.883849
3.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
4.
 
Canon 200D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
5.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.2164981
6.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.912.552265
7.
 
Canon M6 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.6131778
8.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
9.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
10.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
11.
 
Canon SX720 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.881748
12.
 
Canon G9 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.512.349563
13.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
14.
 
Canon SX530 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.211.671247
15.
 
Canon SX610 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.211.671247
16.
 
Canon SX710 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.211.671247
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SX540 provides a higher frame rate than the SX620. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the SX620 is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX540 and the SX620 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon SX540, the Canon SX620, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon SX540none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX620none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/2000s 2.5/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 200Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 9.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon G9 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 8.2/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon M6optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon SX420none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon SX720none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
12.
 
Canon G9 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 6.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Canon SX410none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
14.
 
Canon SX530none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
15.
 
Canon SX610none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/2000s 2.5/s Y Y
16.
 
Canon SX710none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 6.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Both the SX540 and the SX620 have zoom lenses built in. The SX540 has a 24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5 optic and the SX620 offers a 25-625mm f/3.2-6.6 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the SX540 provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the SX620. The SX620 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX540 and the SX620 write their files to SDXC cards. The SX540 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the SX620 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and Canon PowerShot SX620 HS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX540-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon SX620-mono / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
4.
 
Canon 200DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
7.
 
Canon M6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
8.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
9.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon SX420-mono / mono---2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon SX720-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
12.
 
Canon G9 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
13.
 
Canon SX410-stereo / mono---2.0---
14.
 
Canon SX530-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
15.
 
Canon SX610-- / ---micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Canon SX710-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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Both the SX540 and the SX620 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Canon. Further information on the features and operation of the SX540 and SX620 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX540 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SX620 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon SX540 better than the Canon SX620 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 6 vs DIGIC 4+).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5.9 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2016).


Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX620 HS:

  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 461k dots).
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.2 vs f/3.4).
  • More compact: Is smaller (97x57mm vs 120x82mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 260g or 59 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (295 versus 205) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (30 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (4 months) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (7 points each). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

SX540 07:07 SX620

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX540 and the Canon SX620 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SX540 and the SX620 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX540............ Jan 2016 399ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX620..........4/5 May 2016 279ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 200D4/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III5/5+4/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2017 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G9 X Mark II4/5..4/575/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 529ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M6......80/1004/54/5 Feb 2017 779ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX420..........3/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX720..+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2016 379ebay.com
12.
 
Canon G9 X3.5/5+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 529ebay.com
13.
 
Canon SX410..o........ Feb 2015 279ebay.com
14.
 
Canon SX530..+ +....4/54/5 Jan 2015 429ebay.com
15.
 
Canon SX610........4/54/5 Jan 2015 249ebay.com
16.
 
Canon SX710..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2015 349ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon SX540 vs Canon SX620

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon SX540 Canon SX620
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5 25-625mm f/3.2-6.6
    Launch Date January 2016 May 2016
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 279
    Sensor Specs Canon SX540 Canon SX620
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 5184 x 3888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.18 μm 1.18 μm
    Pixel Density 71.80 MP/cm2 71.80 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 3,200 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 6 DIGIC 4+
    Screen Specs Canon SX540 Canon SX620
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 461k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX540 Canon SX620
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 5.9 shutter flaps/s 2.5 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I no
    Connectivity Specs Canon SX540 Canon SX620
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in NFC built-in
    Body Specs Canon SX540 Canon SX620
    Battery Type Canon NB-6LH Canon NB-13L
    Battery Life (CIPA)205 shots per charge295 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92 mm
    (4.7 x 3.2 x 3.6 in)
    97 x 57 x 28 mm
    (3.8 x 2.2 x 1.1 in)
    Camera Weight 442 g (15.6 oz) 182 g (6.4 oz)
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