Pentax K-x vs Canon SX540 HS Specifications

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APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX540 HS Review.

Detailed specifications
Pentax K-x
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS

Links
Prices:		Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:	Pentax K2000 K2000 vs K-x	Canon SX530 HS SX530 HS vs SX540 HS
Successor:	Pentax K-r K-x vs K-r
General
Model Number:	K-x	SX540 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	SLR	Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured:	No	Yes
Retail Price:	$649.95	$399.99
Street Price:	$701.76	$364.00
Date Available:	2009-10-15	2016-03-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	27.9 oz (791 g) includes batteries, kit lens	15.6 oz (442 g) includes batteries
Size:	4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in. (122 x 92 x 69 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:
Effective Megapixels:	12.4	20.3
Sensor Format:	APS-C	1/2.3 inch
Sensor size:	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	5.53 microns	1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	n/a
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	4:3
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	None
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	72
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	811
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other), 3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2), 1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)	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 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)	JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second:	4.3	5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1280x720 (24) 640x416 (24)	1920x1080 (60p/30p) 1280x720 (30p) 640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:		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:	No
HD Video Out:	No	Yes
HD Video Connection:		HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)	n/a
Lens:	smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL	Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 84mm	24 - 1,200mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 55mm	4.3 - 215mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.00x	50.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)	f/3.4 (W) / f/6.5 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:		5 cm to Infinity 2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:		0 - 50 cm 0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread:	52.0mm	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	SAFOX VIII TTL phase-detect 11 point (9 cross) AF: 11 pt auto, 5 pt auto, AF pt select, center/spot	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:	Optical / LCD	No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 96% coverage, 0.85x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.57x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.85x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	No
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	2.7	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	230,000 dots	461,000 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	16.0x	10.0x
Top Deck Display:	No	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	6400	3200
Minimum ISO (native):	200	80
ISO Settings:	Auto (200-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; expandable to 12800	Auto, ISO 80 - 3200
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Flash, Custom	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range:	1/6000 - 30 sec	1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	No
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	16-segment Multi, 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:	Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Sensitivity Priority	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:	2 or 12 seconds	2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	11.3 m / 37.1 ft.	n/a
Flash Range Description:	Depends on lens	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:	1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation:	-2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe	n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:	Full TTL exposure	No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC	SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:		UHS-I
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	No
Uncompressed Format:	12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Movie File Format:		MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory:	No memory included	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	Yes
NFC:	No	Yes
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant:	No	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional IR	Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended):	AC adapter available	Mini HDMI (Type-C), Mini-B USB

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.39
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.43
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	10
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	4.3	5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	25
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):	0.10 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.082 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.082 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Live View: Phase-detect Full AF: 0.448s Contrast-detect Full AF: 2.567s Prefocused: 0.427s
Startup Time:	0.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	3.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):		205 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	420 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Video:		45 minutes
Battery Form Factor:	4 x AA	Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium, Alkaline disposables; NiMH rechargeables	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	4 x AA Alkaline disposables	1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	No	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:		Yes
Internal Charging Supported:		No
Software
Included Software:	CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:	Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.3+
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	Sensor-shift shake reduction, 720p HD video capture, Live View with face detection. Available in black or white. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.