Canon PowerShot SX540 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS was introduced in January 2016 and Canon PowerShot SX500 IS was introduced in August 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX540 HS over Canon PowerShot SX500 IS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX500 IS over Canon PowerShot SX540 HS.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and Canon PowerShot SX500 IS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 461k dot resolution.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS features a 20.3 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200. Canon PowerShot SX500 IS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS is equipped with DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 5184 x 3888 resolution. Canon PowerShot SX500 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS has an image stabilization.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Canon PowerShot SX540 HS

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC on Canon PowerShot SX540 HS

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS comes with NB-6LH battery pack with battery life of 205 shots and Canon PowerShot SX500 IS comes with NB-6L battery pack with battery life of 195 shots.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot SX540 HS, and up to 1/1600 sec on Canon PowerShot SX500 IS. Canon PowerShot SX540 HS can shoot continuously up to 5.9 fps. Canon PowerShot SX500 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 5.50 m at Auto ISO on Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and 5.00 m on Canon PowerShot SX500 IS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/1600 sec on Canon PowerShot SX500 IS.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS body has dimensions of 120 x 82 x 92 mm (4.72 x 3.23 x 3.62") and Canon PowerShot SX500 IS body has dimensions of 104 x 70 x 80 mm (4.09 x 2.76 x 3.15"). Canon PowerShot SX540 HS weighs 442 g (0.97 lb / 15.59 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX500 IS weighs 341 g (0.75 lb / 12.03 oz).

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS

120 mm

82 mm

104 mm

70 mm

82 mm

70 mm