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Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Canon SX220 HS front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 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
  • Announced January 2010
Canon SX220 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • n/ag - 106 x 59 x 33mm
  • Released February 2011
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Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Canon A490 versus Canon SX220 HS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the SX220 HS (12MP) is fairly similar and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A490 was unveiled 13 months earlier than the SX220 HS making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A490 grades vs the SX220 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Canon SX220 HS

 A490 SX220 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX220 HS over the Canon A490

 SX220 HS A490 
ReleasedFebruary 2011January 2010More modern by 13 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k115kCrisper display (+346k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Canon SX220 HS

 A490 SX220 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 enjoys external 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 SX220 HS has dimensions of 106mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Look at the Canon A490 versus Canon SX220 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the A490 and the SX220 HS.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A490 and SX220 HS is 93 and 96 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and SX220 HS.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX220 HS to offer extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A490 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography advice
Canon SX220 HS Portrait photography advice
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
38
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
comes with face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography info
Canon SX220 HS Street photography info
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography features
Canon SX220 HS Sports photography features
16
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX220 HS as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
60
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (392mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (210 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography information
Canon SX220 HS Landscape photography information
22
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging factors
Canon SX220 HS Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone support
34
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Canon A490 vs Canon SX220 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Canon SX220 HS
 Canon PowerShot A490Canon SX220 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Canon SX220 HS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-05 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 28-392mm (14.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - PureColor II TG TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000s
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 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30,120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 175g (0.39 lb) -
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 106 x 59 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 life - 210 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $99 $399