| key specs |
| Camera Type | Digital Camera | DSLR Camera |
| Effective Pixels | 20.3 MP | 16 MP |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CCD |
| Display Size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Battery Type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| general |
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Model | PowerShot SX540HS 20.3MP Digital Camera | PowerShot SX170 16MP DSLR Camera |
| Model Name | PowerShot SX540HS | PowerShot SX170 |
| Series | PowerShot | PowerShot |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Type | Digital Camera | DSLR Camera |
| Effective Pixels | 20.3 MP | 16 MP |
| Dimensions(WxHxD) | 30.5 x 25.9 x 21.8 cm | 108 x 71 x 48.9 mm |
| Face Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Wide Angle | Yes | - |
| Temperature | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 |
| Model Number | - | SX170 |
| Weight | - | 228 GM |
| sensor features |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CCD |
| ISO Rating | ISO 80 - 1600 | - |
| Maximum ISO | 1600 ISO | 1600 ISO |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | - |
| lens features |
| Optical Zoom | 50x | 16x |
| Aperture Range | F3.4 - F6.5 | F3.5 - F8.0 W, F5.9 - F8.0 T |
| Manual Focus | Yes | - |
| Other Lens Features | 100x ZoomPlus, Type Iris Diaphragm, F/Number f/3.4 - f/8.0 W, f/6.5 - f/8.0 T | - |
| Focal Length | - | 5.0 - 80.0 mm 35 mm Equivalent to 28 - 448 mm |
| focus features |
| Focus Mode | Autofocus Continuous, Servo AF, Manual Focus | - |
| Focus Range | 0 cm - Infinity W, 1.3 m - Infinity T | - |
| Auto Focus | Yes | Yes |
| Metering Modes | Evaluative, Center-weighted Average, Spot | Evaluative, Center-weighted Average, Spot |
| Other Focus Features | Control System Autofocus Continuous, Servo AF, Manual Focus, AF Frame Face AiAF, Center, Tracking AF | - |
| exposure features |
| Spot Meter | Yes | - |
| shutter features |
| Self-timer | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Shots | 5.9 Shots/sec | Yes, 0.8 fps P Mode, 3.2 fps Low Light Mode |
| Shutter Speed | - | 1/3200 sec |
| flash features |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes | Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off | Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off |
| Other Flash Features | - | External Flash EX-series Speedlite |
| image features |
| Maximum Resolution | 5184 x 3888 | - |
| Image Stabilizer | Yes | Yes |
| Aspect Ratio | - | 169, 32, 43, 11 |
| Image Sizing | - | 4608 x 3456 L |
| Still Image Size | - | 3246 x 2448 Medium 1, 1600 x 1200 Medium 2, 640 x 480 Small |
| Slow Motion | - | Yes |
| display features |
| Display Size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| LCD Display Image Resolution | 461000 dots | 230000 dots |
| LCD Display Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
| Other Display Features | Wide Viewing Angle | - |
| Display Resolution | - | 230,000 dots |
| connectivity features |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Wireless Connectivity | Yes | - |
| storage and power features |
| Power Supply | Battery Pack NB-6LH | - |
| Battery Type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Battery Life | 205 h | - |
| Batteries Included | - | Yes |
| modes and functions features |
| Shooting Modes | M, AV, TV, P, Live View Control, Hybrid Auto, Auto, Creative Shot, Sports, SCN, Movie Standard, Short Clip, iFrame Movie | M, Av, Tv, P, Live View Control, Auto, SCN, Creative Filters, Discreet, Movie |
| Scene Modes | 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 | - |
| HD Support | - | Yes |
| Macro Mode | - | Yes, 1 - 50 cm W |