Canon SX540 vs T6

The Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and the Canon EOS Rebel T6 (labelled Canon 1300D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2016 and March 2016. The SX540 is a fixed lens compact, while the T6 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX540) and an APS-C (T6) sensor. The SX540 has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the T6 provides 17.9 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon SX540		Canon T6
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5		Canon EF mount lenses
20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor		17.9 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200		ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 461k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5.9 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
205 shots per battery charge		500 shots per battery charge
120 x 82 x 92 mm, 442 g		129 x 101 x 78 mm, 485 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and the Canon EOS Rebel T6? 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.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon SX540 and the Canon T6 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon T6 is notably larger (32 percent) than the Canon SX540. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX540 nor the T6 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX540 has a lens built in, whereas the T6 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the T6 and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the SX540 gets 205 shots out of its NB-6LH battery, while the T6 can take 500 images on a single charge of its LP-E10 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		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	399
2.		Canon T6	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	449
3.		Canon T7	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon T100	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	399
5.		Canon 77D	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	899
6.		Canon 200D	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549
7.		Canon G1 X Mark III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	1,299
8.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	529
9.		Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
10.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399
11.		Canon 1300D	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	449
12.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	379
13.		Canon SX530	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	210	n	Jan 2015	429
14.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349
15.		Canon T5	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449
16.		Canon SL1	117 mm	91 mm	69 mm	407 g	380	n	Mar 2013	549
17.		Canon T5i	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	649
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX540 was launched at a lower price than the T6, despite having a lens built in. 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX540 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Canon T6 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the T6 is 1086 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.6. The sensor in the SX540 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the T6 offers a 3:2 aspect.

In terms of chip-set technology, the SX540 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 6) than the T6 (DIGIC 4+), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon SX540 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 17.9 MP of the Canon T6. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.18μm versus 4.31μm for the T6). It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX540 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T6 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		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	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
2.		Canon T6	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon T7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon T100	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
5.		Canon 77D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.3	971	78
6.		Canon 200D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.4	1041	79
7.		Canon G1 X Mark III	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
8.		Canon G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522	65
9.		Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
10.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
11.		Canon 1300D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
12.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
13.		Canon SX530	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
15.		Canon T5	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
16.		Canon SL1	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.8	11.3	843	63
17.		Canon T5i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681	61

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. 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 T6. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the T6 is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the T6 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX540 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX540 and Canon T6 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0	461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9	Y	Y
2.		Canon T6	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
3.		Canon T7	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
4.		Canon T100	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
5.		Canon 77D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
6.		Canon 200D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
7.		Canon G1 X Mark III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0	Y	Y
8.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2	Y	Y
9.		Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
10.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
11.		Canon 1300D	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
12.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
13.		Canon SX530	none	n	3.0	461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6	Y	Y
14.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0	Y	Y
15.		Canon T5	optical	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
16.		Canon SL1	optical	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.9	Y	n
17.		Canon T5i	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX540 and the T6 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 T6 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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 EOS Rebel T6 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon SX540	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Canon T6	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon T7	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon T100	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon 77D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon 200D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Canon G1 X Mark III	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
8.		Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
9.		Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
11.		Canon 1300D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon SX720	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Canon SX530	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Canon SX710	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Canon T5	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Canon SL1	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Canon T5i	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the T6 has a hotshoe, which makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun. The SX540 does not feature such an accessory-socket.

The SX540 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the T6 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the T6 was succeeded by the Canon T7. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX540 and the Canon T6? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• 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 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the T6 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (120x82mm vs 129x101mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the T6).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS Rebel T6:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 461k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 205) out of a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T6 comes out slightly ahead of the SX540 (11 : 10 points). 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.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX540 and the Canon T6 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings 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 remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the SX540 or the T6 perform in practice. 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 adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	399
2.		Canon T6	4/5	o	73/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449
3.		Canon T7	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon T100	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399
5.		Canon 77D	4.5/5	..	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899
6.		Canon 200D	4/5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549
7.		Canon G1 X Mark III	5/5	+	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	1,299
8.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	529
9.		Canon M6	..	..	80/100	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
10.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	399
11.		Canon 1300D	4/5	o	73/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449
12.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379
13.		Canon SX530	..	+ +	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	429
14.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349
15.		Canon T5	3/5	+	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449
16.		Canon SL1	4/5	+	78/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	549
17.		Canon T5i	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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 a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~

Specifications: Canon SX540 vs Canon T6

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.

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.