• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    281g vs 442g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • 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
    9.6 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Sony RX100 II

  • Less expensive
    $329 vs $598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.

  • Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Canon SX540 HS
Sony RX100
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Canon SX540 HS
Sony RX100 III
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Sony RX100 II
Canon SX520 HS
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 II vs 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

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100 II
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Canon G7X

Canon SX540 HS
Canon G7X
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon G7X

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Sony RX100 II
Canon SX530 HS
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 II vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?