• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix P520
  • Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX530 HS
SX530 HS vs SX540 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: P520 SX540 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $449.95 $399.99
Street Price: $426.95 $364.00
Date Available: 2013-02-15 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 19.4 oz (550 g)
includes batteries
15.6 oz (442 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.3 x 4.0 in.
(125 x 84 x 102 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: BSI  
Effective Megapixels: 18.1 20.3
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.26 microns 1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   None
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4896 x 3672 (18.0 MP, 4:3) 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), MPO JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.0 5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​60i/​50i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
960x540 (30p)
640x480 (120p/​30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Zoom-Nikkor ED VR; 14 elements in 10 groups Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 1,000mm 24 - 1,200mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.3 - 180mm 4.3 - 215mm
Zoom Ratio: 42.00x 50.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.0 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele) - f/8.3 f/3.4 (W) / f/6.5 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Auto (9-area automatic selection), Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking 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: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 0.5 cm (0.2-in.) approx. 201K-dot equivalent LCD with the diopter adjustment function (-4 to +4 m-1)  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,000 dots 461,000 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom:   10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   3200
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Fixed range auto (ISO 80-400, 80-800), ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Hi 1 (equivalent to 6400) Auto, ISO 80 - 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto1/2, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Manual Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 8 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 224-segment Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot 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: Back Light, Beach, Black and White Copy, Close Up, Dusk/Dawn, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Museum, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Panorama, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Snow, Sports, Sunset, 3D Photography 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: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: TBA 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:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: 15.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Built-in GPS, Built-in Wi-Fi, Mini (Type-C) HDMI Mini HDMI (Type-C), Mini-B USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
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):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.0 5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 200 shots 205 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   45 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL5 Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL5 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
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Lens-shift Vibration Reduction (VR) with Active Mode, 18.1-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, 3.2-inch Vari-Angle LCD monitor, Full HD 1080p movies, Built-in GPS. Available in Black, Red or Dark Grey.