Canon PowerShot SX540 HS vs Nikon Coolpix P900 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Bridge · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
52
WINNER
|
Nikon · Bridge · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Nikon Coolpix P900
48
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot SX540 HS and the Nikon Coolpix P900 are both bridge cameras built around fixed lenses and 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensors, so neither body accepts interchangeable glass. The P900, announced in 2015, is the substantially larger camera at 140 x 103 x 137 mm and 899 g. The 2016 SX540 HS measures 120 x 82 x 92 mm and weighs 442 g, making it the easier camera to slip into a travel bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 5, 2016 | March 2, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 120 x 82 x 92 mm | 140 x 103 x 137 mm |
| Camera weight | 442 g | 899 g |
| Optics | 51/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SX540 HS is the stronger choice for cropping distant subjects, with 20 megapixels against 16 in the P900. Those extra megapixels give landscape and wildlife shots more room to be trimmed and still printed large. The P900 answers with faster shooting and shorter exposures: 7 frames per second against 5.9, and a 1/4000-second maximum shutter against 1/2000 for freezing bright daylight action. The P900 also offers an electronic viewfinder with 921,000 dots, so you can frame and follow moving subjects at eye level; the SX540 HS has no viewfinder and relies on its rear LCD. Both cameras include stabilisation for handheld shooting. The P900's standard ISO range also reaches 6400, against 3200 on the SX540 HS. | ||
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 C2 |
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 |  3:2 |
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 | 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. |
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 | 92100009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 61/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoCanon is the better pick if video matters, because the SX540 HS records Full HD while the P900 tops out at Standard HD. Full HD keeps more detail for editing and viewing on large screens. Frame rates match at up to 60 fps, and both cameras record MPEG-4 and MOV files, so footage drops into familiar workflows on either body. | ||
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 |  Standard 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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 51/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe P900 is the more capable camera for travel documentation, offering built-in GPS to geotag wildlife and holiday photos automatically. Its screen flips out for waist-level and overhead framing, and it doubles the LCD detail with 921,000 dots against 461,000 on the SX540 HS, which helps when checking focus and composition in daylight. The SX540 HS has Bluetooth for a persistent low-power link to a phone, which the P900 lacks. Both cameras offer Wi-Fi for wireless transfers. Both also include a built-in flash and live view, and both lack a touchscreen and 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
4610001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | No |
| Storage & battery | 13/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe P900's EN-EL23 battery is rated for 360 shots against 205 shots from the SX540 HS's NB-6LH under standard test conditions, the higher rating of the two. Both cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither supports charging over USB, so spare batteries are worth packing for either. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-6LH | EN-EL23 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
205 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Coolpix P900 if you photograph wildlife and travel scenes for long stretches: its electronic viewfinder, GPS tagging, tilting screen and higher rated battery life suit dedicated birding and sightseeing sessions. Choose the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS if you want a much lighter camera for everyday trips, more megapixels for cropping, and Full HD video. The SX540 HS suits casual family travel; the P900 suits serious long-range wildlife work.