• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 3000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Nikon P1000

  • Less expensive
    $329 vs $997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    91 mm vs 181 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    442g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon P1000 advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    3,000 mm vs 1,200 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer video battery life
    80 vs 45 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 250 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    230k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX540 HS
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon P1000
Nikon P1000
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Review Excerpt

  • Record-breaking 24-3000mm optical zoom lens with surprisingly good optical performance; Good image quality at low ISOs; VR works well; Fast AF in good lighting; RAW image capture.

  • Tiny sensor struggles with low-light/high ISO image quality; Lens dims quickly as you zoom; Sluggish low-light AF; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Shallow buffer depth; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Nikon P1000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX520 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

Nikon P1000
Canon SX520 HS
  • $1047
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon P1000 vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

Nikon P1000
Canon SX530 HS
  • $1047
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Nikon P1000 vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Nikon P900

Canon SX540 HS
Nikon P900
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $597
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon P900

Nikon P1000
Nikon P900
  • $1047
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • RAW file ability
  • $597
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon P1000 vs Nikon P900

Compared to Nikon B600

Canon SX540 HS
Nikon B600
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Manual focus
  • $327
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon B600

Nikon P1000
Nikon B600
  • $1047
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $327
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon P1000 vs Nikon B600

Compared to Nikon P950

Canon SX540 HS
Nikon P950
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon P950

Nikon P1000
Nikon P950
  • $1047
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon P1000 vs Nikon P950

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