Canon PowerShot SX540 HS vs Nikon Coolpix P950 — 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 P950
52
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix P950 is the bigger, heavier camera here, while the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS is the lighter, travel-friendlier choice. Both are bridge cameras, so neither swaps lenses and the choice comes down to how you shoot. The P950 arrived in 2020, four years after the 2016 SX540 HS. The Nikon weighs more than twice as much as the Canon, 1005 g against 442 g, and measures 140 x 110 x 150 mm against 120 x 82 x 92 mm. That makes the Canon far easier to carry and pack. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 5, 2016 | July 1, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 120 x 82 x 92 mm | 140 x 110 x 150 mm |
| Camera weight | 442 g | 1005 g |
| Optics | 51/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe P950 gives you a proper eye-level viewfinder, the biggest optical difference here. Its electronic viewfinder has 2,359,000 dots for steady framing in bright light. The SX540 HS has no viewfinder, so every shot is composed on the rear screen, which is harder in sunshine and less steady. Both share a 1/2.3-inch sensor size and in-body stabilisation, so handheld shots at slower shutter speeds are supported on either. The Canon's 20 MP against 16 MP gives a little extra crop room. The Nikon answers with a 7 fps burst, a 1/4000-second shutter and a 6400 standard ISO ceiling, against 5.9 fps, 1/2000 second and 3200. | ||
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 P950 is the clear choice if video matters, because it records 4K while the SX540 HS tops out at Full HD. That matters for clips you intend to crop or playback on a 4K television. Both also record at up to 60 fps for smooth footage. The Nikon also offers a built-in timelapse mode for condensing a sunset or drifting clouds in camera. | ||
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.265 |
| Features | 51/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Nikon's rear screen is the better tool for awkward angles. Its 3.2-inch LCD has 921,600 dots and flips out for waist-level, overhead or self-framed shots. The Canon's 3-inch screen is fixed, with 461,000 dots, roughly half the resolution, so playback looks softer. Both cameras offer built-in flash, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer, plus live view. The Nikon also supports an external flash for indoor and night shots. Neither has GPS, weather sealing or a touch screen. | ||
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 BatteryThe Nikon is the better pick for a long day out. Its battery is rated at 290 shots against 205 for the Canon, and USB charging lets a power bank top it up. The Canon does not charge over USB. Both use a single SD, SDHC and SDXC slot, so the same cards work in either camera, with no backup slot. The Nikon's slot is UHS-I compatible, helping its 4K video files move quickly onto the card. | ||
| 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 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Nikon Coolpix P950 is the stronger choice for anyone who wants a viewfinder, 4K video and flexible framing. The electronic viewfinder makes eye-level shooting practical, and the flip-out screen adds waist-level and overhead angles.
Choose the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS when portability leads. At 442 g against 1005 g, it is far lighter for holidays, family days out and hikes. Its 20 MP sensor also gives extra crop room for static subjects.