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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot A490 front
Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Canon A490
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • 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 A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are designed by Canon. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and A490 (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A3500 IS was brought out 3 years after the A490 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the A3500 IS scores against the A490 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon A490

 A3500 IS A490 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2010Newer by 37 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k115kCrisper screen (+115k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon A3500 IS

 A490 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Canon A490

 A3500 IS A490 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A3500 IS features external dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Canon A490 has measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3500 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 differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the A3500 IS against the A490.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3500 IS and A490 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specifications. The picture below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and A490.

To sum up, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon A3500 IS to provide extra detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography information
Canon A490 Portrait photography information
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3500 IS
Street photography with Canon A490
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Canon A490 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
supports focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon A490 Landscape photography advice
42
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
22
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon A490 as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic support
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon A490 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Canon A490
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISCanon PowerShot A490
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Canon PowerShot A490
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-07 2010-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 5
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 37-122mm (3.3x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 115 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 175g (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $115 $99