• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic FZ1000 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.
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 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
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • 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
    9.5 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

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

  • Less expensive
    $329 vs $748
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 400 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    91 mm vs 130 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    442g vs 833g
    Lighter weight
  • 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

  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality

  • Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter

  • Read our Panasonic FZ1000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000
Sony RX10
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Top deck display
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Canon SX540 HS
Sony RX10
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Sony RX10

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Panasonic FZ1000
Canon SX520 HS
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs 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

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon SX540 HS
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic FZ1000
Canon SX530 HS
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 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

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Canon SX540 HS
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compare Other Cameras?