• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax X90 advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.53 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 255 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Pentax X90

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 676 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    9 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax X90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX540 HS
All SX540 HS Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Pentax X90
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax X90 vs Nikon P90

Canon SX540 HS
Nikon P90
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon P90

Compared to Pentax X70

Pentax X90
Pentax X70
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax X90 vs Pentax X70

Canon SX540 HS
Pentax X70
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Pentax X70

Compared to Nikon P100

Pentax X90
Nikon P100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Manual focus

Compare Pentax X90 vs Nikon P100

Canon SX540 HS
Nikon P100
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon P100

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Pentax X90
Canon SX520 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Pentax X90 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 Canon SX530 HS

Pentax X90
Canon SX530 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $479
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

Compare Other Cameras?