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Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Key Specs

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
  • Announced January 2010
Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS
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Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are offered by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the SD960 IS (12MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A490 was unveiled 11 months later than the SD960 IS so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the A490 scores versus the SD960 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon SD960 IS

 A490 SD960 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Canon A490

 SD960 IS A490 
Screen sizing2.8"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution230k115kCrisper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon SD960 IS

 A490 SD960 IS 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon A490 has got external 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 SD960 IS has specifications of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the A490 compared to the SD960 IS.

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A490 and SD960 IS is 93 and 95 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and SD960 IS.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon SD960 IS to resolve more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher A490 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A490
Portrait photography with Canon SD960 IS
19
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
26
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography advice
Canon SD960 IS Street photography advice
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Canon SD960 IS as a Sports photography camera
16
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography factors
Canon SD960 IS Travel photography factors
50
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A490
Landscape photography with Canon SD960 IS
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
36
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A490
Vlogging with Canon SD960 IS
21
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone support
30
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Canon A490 vs Canon SD960 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Canon SD960 IS
 Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot SD960 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Canon PowerShot SD960 IS
Also called as - Digital IXUS 110 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-05 2009-02-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.8 inches
Screen resolution 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 2 x AA NB-4L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $99 -