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Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 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
  • Released January 2010
Canon SX170 IS
(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
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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").

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon SX170 IS

 A490 SX170 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon A490

 SX170 IS A490 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2010Newer by 44 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k115kCrisper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon SX170 IS

 A490 SX170 IS 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography information
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography information
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
44
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography details
Canon SX170 IS Street photography details
46
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
16
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography features
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography features
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition (251 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging advice
Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic port
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (251g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Canon A490 vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot A490Canon 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