Canon PowerShot SX430 vs Canon PowerShot SX540 HS — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Bridge · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Canon PowerShot SX430
51
SCORE
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Canon · Bridge · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
52
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX430 and the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS are both 2016 Canon bridge cameras with fixed lenses, so your zoom range is built into whichever body you buy. Neither offers interchangeable optics. The SX430 measures 104 x 69 x 85 mm and weighs 325 g, while the SX540 HS measures 120 x 82 x 92 mm and weighs 442 g. That makes the SX540 HS the larger body and 117 g heavier on the scale. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 5, 2016 | January 5, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 104 x 69 x 85 mm | 120 x 82 x 92 mm |
| Camera weight | 325 g | 442 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SX430 is the stronger pick for fast action, shooting at up to 25 frames per second against 5.9 on the SX540 HS. It also offers a shorter 1/4000 second exposure versus 1/2000, which helps freeze motion or shoot wide aperture in bright light. The SX540 HS uses a CMOS sensor and reaches 3200 ISO, doubling the SX430's 1600 ISO ceiling when light gets dim. The two share 20 MP resolution and the 1/2.3-inch sensor format, so both deliver the same pixel count for prints and cropping. Both offer image stabilisation for sharper handheld frames. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5152 x 3864 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
25 fps045 | 5.9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4+ | Digic 6 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1544080 | 1544080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 00300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe SX540 HS is the clear winner for video. Its recording limits run to Full HD resolution and 60 fps, while the SX430 tops out at Standard HD and 30 fps. Full HD keeps footage sharper on a large television, and the doubled frame rate supports smoother motion or half-speed playback on a 30 fps timeline. The two cameras record in the same MPEG-4 and MOV formats, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. Standard HD clips from the SX430 remain fine for quick social sharing, though they look coarser on a big screen. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 49/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe SX430 is the only one with a flip screen, tilting its 3-inch display for waist-level framing or shooting over a crowd. The SX540 HS has a fixed screen, but its panel shows 461000 dots against 230000, making it twice as sharp for checking focus and detail. Both cameras offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer to a phone, and both have a built-in flash. Neither has GPS, so neither tags your photos with location data. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 4610001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 11/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is shared, with both cameras using a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot. Neither offers a second slot for backup or overflow on a long trip. The batteries differ, and spare batteries are not interchangeable between the two bodies. The SX540 HS uses an NB-6LH rated at 205 shots, while the SX430 uses an NB-11LH rated at 195 shots. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need an external charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-11LH | NB-6LH |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
195 shots1505000 | 205 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS if video and dim rooms matter most. Its Full HD video, 60 fps frame rate, sharper 461000-dot screen and 3200 ISO ceiling make it the better pick for holiday movies, indoor parties and evening shots. Choose the Canon PowerShot SX430 for fast stills instead. Its 25 fps burst, 1/4000 second shutter and tilting screen suit birds in flight and playground action.