Canon PowerShot SX540 HS vs Nikon Coolpix P1000 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Bridge · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
52
SCORE
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Nikon · Bridge · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Nikon Coolpix P1000
52
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix P1000 and Canon PowerShot SX540 HS are both bridge cameras, but they differ sharply in scale. The 2018 P1000 measures 146 x 119 x 181 mm and weighs 1415 g, while the 2016 SX540 HS is far smaller at 120 x 82 x 92 mm and 442 g. That makes the Canon far easier to pack for travel. Sensor format and lens mount are shared: both use a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor and a fixed lens mount, so neither accepts interchangeable optics. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 5, 2016 | October 7, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 120 x 82 x 92 mm | 146 x 119 x 181 mm |
| Camera weight | 442 g | 1415 g |
| Optics | 51/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor tracking action, the P1000 is the stronger choice: it offers an electronic viewfinder with 2,359,000 dots, while the SX540 HS has none and frames only on its rear screen. The eye-level view is easier to use in bright daylight. Its 1/4000 second top shutter against the Canon's 1/2000 also helps freeze fast motion. The Canon is the better pick for heavy cropping, with 20 MP against the Nikon's 16 MP. The Nikon answers with 7 fps shooting against 5.9 fps, and a standard ISO range reaching 6400 versus the Canon's 3200. Both include stabilisation to steady handheld shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | 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. |
5.9 fps045 | 7 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 6 | Expeed |
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. |
8030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
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. |
8030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1544080 | 6044080 |
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. |
200080032000 | 400080032000 |
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. |
00300 | 10300 |
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 | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe P1000 is the clear winner for video resolution, recording up to 4K where the SX540 HS stops at Full HD. Frame rate is a separate shared limit: both reach 60 fps. The extra detail gives you room to crop footage while editing. The Nikon also offers built-in timelapse recording, capturing a developing scene such as clouds passing over a landscape without extra gear. The Canon has no built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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. |
 Full HD |  4K |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
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. |
60 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. |
No |  Yes |
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, H.264 |
| Features | 51/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesA tilting screen makes the P1000 the more flexible camera to shoot with. Its 3.2-inch display carries 921,600 dots and can tilt to frame overhead or low-angle shots, and the sharper view makes focus and detail checking easier. The SX540 HS has a fixed 3-inch screen with 461,000 dots. The Nikon also supports an external flash for stronger indoor lighting, while the Canon offers only its built-in flash. Both include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transferring photos to a phone. Neither offers GPS tagging or weather sealing. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4610001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 13/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth store images on a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot on either body. The P1000's slot is UHS-I compatible, so it supports faster cards for writing long 4K clips. The Nikon rates 250 shots per charge against 205 for the Canon, a modest edge under their test conditions. It also supports USB charging, so you can top it up from a power bank. The Canon cannot charge over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-6LH | EN-EL20a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
205 shots1505000 | 250 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Coolpix P1000 if you want an electronic viewfinder to track moving subjects, 4K video with room to crop footage afterwards, and a 1/4000 second shutter to freeze fast motion. External flash support, a tilting screen and USB charging add further flexibility.
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS when a small, light camera matters more than the Nikon's viewfinder and 4K video. Its 20 MP sensor also gives you more room to crop stills.