• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G3 X
  • Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX530 HS
SX530 HS vs SX540 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: G3X SX540 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $999.99 $399.99
Street Price: $749.00 $364.00
Date Available: 2015-07-15 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 26.1 oz (739 g)
includes batteries
15.6 oz (442 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.0 x 4.1 in.
(123 x 77 x 105 mm)
4.7 x 3.2 x 3.6 in.
(120 x 82 x 92 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 20.2 20.3
Sensor Format: 1 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.41 microns 1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.7x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.4  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 521  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
720 x 408 (0.3 MP, Other),
4864 x 3648 (17.7 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1),
2912 x 3648 (10.6 MP, Other),
2304 x 2880 (6.6 MP, Other),
1232 x 1536 (1.9 MP, Other),
384 x 480 (0.2 MP, Other)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2912 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1368 (2.8 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.3 5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (30p/​15p)
1280x720 (6p/​3p/​1.5p)
640x480 (6p/​3p/​1.5p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens with USM; 18 elements in 13 groups Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 600mm 24 - 1,200mm
Focal Length (actual): 8.8 - 220mm 4.3 - 215mm
Zoom Ratio: 25.00x 50.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/5.6 (T) - f/11, with 9-blade aperture; built-in 3-stop ND filter f/3.4 (W) / f/6.5 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: Bayonet adapter n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 31-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track), Touch AF Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Optional hot-shoe attachable EVF-DC1, 2.36M-dot OLED EVF.  
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,620,000 dots (540,000 px) 461,000 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 125 80
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 125-12800 in 1/3 EV steps Auto, ISO 80 - 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1, Custom 2 Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center or linked to Touch AF frame), Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Facial brightness is evaluated in Face Detection AF
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Sports, Portrait, Smart Shutter, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Snow, Fireworks; Filters: High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect Live View Control, Creative Shot (Auto, Retro, Monochrome, Special and Natural effects), Portrait, Smart Shutter (Smile, Wink Self-timer, Face Self-timer), Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Fireworks
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): No  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Manual, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off; (Red-eye reduction and second curtain sync available) Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 60cm - 6.8m (W), 85cm - 3.1m (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 ft. - 18 ft. (W), 4.3 - 9.8 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.5m (W), (1.3 - 3.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or via Wi-Fi Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Jack for RS-60E3 remote shutter release switch Mini HDMI (Type-C), Mini-B USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.86  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 1.95  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.3 5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 9  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 0.7  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): Unlimited  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 0.8  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): Unlimited  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.41 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.38 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.109 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.82 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.044 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 2.1 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 300 shots 205 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   45 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-10L Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software:    
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1-inch 20.2MP BSI CMOS sensor, DIGIC 6 image processor, 25x 24-600mm eq. F2.8-5.6 zoom lens, improve, EOS-style controls and menus, magnesium-alloy body, dust and water resistant.