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Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Key Specs

Canon A490
(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
Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Previous Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX530 HS
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Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Canon A490 versus Canon SX520 HS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Canon. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and SX520 HS (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A490 was launched 5 years prior to the SX520 HS which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A490 scores against the SX520 HS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon SX520 HS

 A490 SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon A490

 SX520 HS A490 
IntroducedJuly 2014January 2010Newer by 55 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k115kCrisper display (+346k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon SX520 HS

 A490 SX520 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 provides exterior 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) and the Canon SX520 HS has dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A490 versus Canon SX520 HS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the A490 versus the SX520 HS.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and SX520 HS is 93 and 69 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and SX520 HS.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX520 HS to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged A490 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A490
Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
46
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX520 HS as a Sports photography camera
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A490
Travel photography with Canon SX520 HS
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
55
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX520 HS as a Landscape photography camera
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
45
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging advice
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging advice
21
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
29
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no microphone support
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Canon A490 vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-05 2014-07-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4+
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface 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 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focus distance 1cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 115k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 pounds) 441 grams (0.97 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
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 - 210 photographs
Battery style - 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 feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $99 $219