• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Sony A6400

  • Less expensive
    $329* vs $848
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Sony A6400 advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    125 vs 45 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    11.0 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
    102400 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6400

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX520 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Sony A6400
Canon SX520 HS
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Sony A6400
Canon SX530 HS
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon SX540 HS
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

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
Sony A6400
Nikon B600
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $327
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon SX540 HS
Sony A6100
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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