Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


81 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 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
- Announced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
- Released July 2014

Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS Overview
Here, we are comparing the Canon A490 versus Canon SX400 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Canon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and SX400 IS (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The A490 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the SX400 IS which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a full comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the A490 grades versus the SX400 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A490 & Canon PowerShot SX400 IS. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon A490 Gallery & Canon SX400 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon SX400 IS
A490 | SX400 IS |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Canon A490
SX400 IS | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2014 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 55 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer display (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon SX400 IS
A490 | SX400 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A490 has outer dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Canon SX400 IS has sizing of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A490 versus Canon SX400 IS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the A490 and the SX400 IS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A490 and SX400 IS is 93 and 81 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and SX400 IS.
As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX400 IS to offer you greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged A490 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SX400 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Canon PowerShot SX400 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A490 | Canon PowerShot SX400 IS |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2010-01-05 | 2014-07-29 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Digic 4+ |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
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 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 5 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.4-5.8 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 0cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 115 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, on, off, slow synchro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone 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 lb) | 313 grams (0.69 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") |
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 | - | 190 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | NB-11LH |
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 |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $99 | $229 |