• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Less expensive
    $329 vs $999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer video battery life
    80 vs 45 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k 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
    60 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
    10.4 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

  • Read our Olympus PEN-F 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

Olympus PEN-F
Canon SX520 HS
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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

Olympus PEN-F
Canon SX530 HS
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon SX540 HS
Panasonic GX85
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon SX540 HS
Olympus E-PL8
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

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

Olympus PEN-F
Nikon B600
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $327
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Nikon B600

Compare Other Cameras?