Canon A490 vs Canon S95
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


93 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37
Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 195g - 100 x 58 x 30mm
- Launched November 2010
- Succeeded the Canon S90
- Replacement is Canon S100

Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Canon A490 vs Canon S95, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are offered by Canon. The resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the S95 (10MP) is very well matched but the A490 (1/2.3") and S95 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor sizes.

The A490 was unveiled 10 months prior to the S95 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the A490 scores versus the S95 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A490 & Canon PowerShot S95. The full galleries are available at Canon A490 Gallery & Canon S95 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon S95
A490 | S95 |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon S95 over the Canon A490
S95 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2010 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 10 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer display (+346k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon S95
A490 | S95 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 has exterior dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Canon S95 has dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).
Contrast the Canon A490 vs Canon S95 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the A490 and the S95.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and S95 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and S95.
To sum up, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The A490 contains the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult. The more aged A490 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon S95 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Canon PowerShot S95 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A490 | Canon PowerShot S95 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2010-01-05 | 2010-11-23 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 5 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 28-105mm (3.8x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 115k dot | 461k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 6.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/500 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 175g (0.39 pounds) | 195g (0.43 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 100 x 58 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 47 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 153 |
Other | ||
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NB-6L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card |
Storage slots | Single | - |
Retail price | $99 | $495 |