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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot A490 front
Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Canon A490
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 175g - 94 x 62 x 31mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are designed by Canon. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the A490 (10MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was released about the same time to the A490 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the A3100 IS grades vs the A490 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon A490

 A3100 IS A490 
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kClearer display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon A3100 IS

 A490 A3100 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon A490

 A3100 IS A490 
RevealedJanuary 2010January 2010Similar generation
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys outer measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Canon A490 has specifications of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the A3100 IS and the A490.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and A490 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The image underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3100 IS and A490.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Canon A3100 IS to offer you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon A490 Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography features
Canon A490 Street photography features
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
46
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography factors
Canon A490 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography advice
Canon A490 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Canon A490
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
22
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging details
Canon A490 Vlogging details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
21
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A490 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon A490
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot A490
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot A490
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2010-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 5
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 37-122mm (3.3x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.5"
Display resolution 230k dots 115k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lb) 175 gr (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model NB-8L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $159 $99