Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2010
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
- Released August 2013
- Previous Model is Canon SX160 IS
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Overview
The following is a complete assessment of the Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Canon. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durabilityThe A490 was announced 4 years prior to the SX170 IS which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the A490 matches up vs the SX170 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A490 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS. The whole galleries are available at Canon A490 Gallery and Canon SX170 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon SX170 IS
A490 | SX170 IS |
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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon A490
SX170 IS | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2013 | January 2010 | Newer by 44 months | |
Manually focus | More exact focus | |||
Screen dimension | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
Screen resolution | 230k | 115k | Crisper screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon SX170 IS
A490 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
Touch screen | Missing Touch screen |
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 has got physical dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the A490 compared to the SX170 IS.
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and SX170 IS is 93 and 88 respectively.
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and SX170 IS.
As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to deliver extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A490 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A490 | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2010-01-05 | 2013-08-22 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | 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 | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 5 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 28-448mm (16.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 115k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/3200s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 175 gr (0.39 pounds) | 251 gr (0.55 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
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 life | - | 300 shots |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | NB-6LH |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $99 | $0 |