Canon A490 vs. Casio EX-ZR700: A Veteran’s Look at Two Compact Cameras From the Early 2010s

When diving into the world of compact cameras from the early 2010s, the Canon PowerShot A490 and the Casio Exilim EX-ZR700 stand out as two intriguing options from the era - each targeting a niche of users who wanted portability and simplicity wrapped in a neat package. While both are “small sensor” compacts, a deeper hands-on look reveals distinct philosophies, strengths, and limitations.

Having spent years testing cameras across generations, I’ll walk you through a detailed comparison that encompasses technical specs, practical usage, and real-world performance. Whether you’re hunting for a no-fuss bite-sized camera, or you’re a collector of vintage digitals, this analysis aims to shed honest light on these two models.

Let’s Get Physical: Size, Weight, and Handling

Before we get to megapixels or lenses, how a camera feels in the hand can make or break the shooting experience, especially in the compact segment where ergonomics often take a backseat in favor of slimness.

Here’s a quick glance at the Canon A490 and Casio EX-ZR700 in their physical glory:

The Canon A490 is a petite little chap, measuring 94 x 62 x 31 mm and weighing just 175 grams. It wears its compactness like a badge, offering a light, easy-to-stash size that makes it ideal for pocket carry. Ergonomically, it’s about as no-nonsense as it gets - rounded edges, a modest grip, and minimal buttons.

In contrast, the Casio EX-ZR700, at 108 x 60 x 31 mm and 222 grams, is a smidge larger and sturdier. Those extra millimeters translate into a slightly more contoured handgrip and a more substantial feel. The Casio’s size boost accommodates a superzoom lens, more controls, and a bigger screen.

For daily carry or travel, the Canon’s featherweight charm is a winner for one-handers and those who abhor bulk. But if you’re someone who prefers a bit more tactile feedback and a grip that “feels like a camera” rather than a toy, the Casio is more your speed.

Peering at the Layout and Controls: Simplicity vs. Control

Compact cameras often balance between ease of use and manual versatility. Let’s zoom in on their top plate and control layout:

The Canon A490 keeps things exceptionally basic - a mode dial limited to auto and scene modes, a small shutter button, and a zoom rocker. There’s no manual focus ring, no aperture or shutter priority - making it strictly point-and-shoot.

On the Casio EX-ZR700, though, things get spiced up: the presence of dedicated mode dials, physical zoom lever, a zoom rocker, and more buttons indicate a richer interface. Importantly, it offers manual focus, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure - impressive for a compact camera.

The EX-ZR700 is clearly built for photographers who want to learn or maintain creative control, while the A490 targets absolute beginners or those who want a camera for quick snapshots without fuss.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Tech Heartbeat

Both cameras sport a 1/2.3" sensor - with identical physical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55 mm) - but diverge significantly in resolution and sensor technology:

The Canon A490 packs a 10-megapixel CCD sensor, consumer-grade and dated by 2010 standards. CCDs from that era impart decent color reproduction but generally struggled a bit with noise above ISO 400.

The Casio EX-ZR700 boasts a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, an upgrade not just in resolution but also in technology efficiency. The CMOS sensor coupled with Casio’s EXILIM Engine HS 3 processor enhances noise control and dynamic range. Plus, it shoots up to ISO 3200, although realistically, noise creeps in aggressively past ISO 800.

From test shots and pixel-level examination, the Casio images have greater detail and less noise in mid to high-ISO conditions. The Canon’s 10MP limit might offer slightly better pixel-level sharpness at base ISO but lacks flexibility in variable lighting.

Practically speaking, for everyday snapshots and web sharing, both suffice - but the Casio is better positioned for situations that demand flexibility in exposure and moderate zoomed-in cropping.

The Back Screen and Interface: How You Frame, Review, and Navigate

Display size and quality are crucial, especially when there’s no viewfinder elbow-wrestling involved.

The Canon’s 2.5-inch LCD offers a low resolution of just 115k dots, rendering images somewhat dim and pixelated when reviewing. Menu navigation is basic, slow, and sometimes sluggish.

Meanwhile, Casio’s 3.0-inch Super Clear TFT LCD with 922k dots represents a leap forward - crisp, bright, and vibrant, making framing and playback enjoyable. Though it lacks touchscreen capabilities, its responsiveness and menu layout are intuitive for prosumers.

This difference alone can define user satisfaction - after all, a great image can be ruined by guessing composition or missed focus due to a poor display.

Zoom and Lens Performance: The Classic Tug of Versatility vs. Speed

Lenses make or break camera experience - no surprise there. And here we see a classic contest between reach and aperture:

• Canon A490 lens: 37-122 mm equivalent (3.3x optical zoom), max aperture f/3.0-5.8
• Casio EX-ZR700 lens: 25-450 mm equivalent (18x optical zoom), max aperture f/3.5-5.9

The Canon’s modest zoom is ideal for casual portrait and landscape framing - it’s at home when you’re strolling a street or capturing family moments. However, the narrow zoom range limits telephoto opportunities like wildlife or distant subjects.

Casio’s superzoom strategy radically broadens shooting possibilities. The 18x zoom takes you the equivalent of a full-frame 450 mm - enough to shyly stalk birds, sports, or even the occasional wildlife sighting. The trade-off? The lens is slower at the short end and noticeably softer at full zoom, something to be aware of for critical image quality demands.

Color rendition is decent out of both lenses, but the Casio’s lens benefits from optical image stabilization (sensor-shift), a big assist when working at long reach.

Autofocus: The Inner Workings That Make or Break Your Shot

Autofocus in compact cameras can be a double-edged sword. Here’s what you get:

In practice, the Canon’s AF can be frustrating - sluggish in low light and limited to single-point focus, which means hunting is common if your object or subject moves.

Casio’s inclusion of face detection and AF tracking brings substantial improvement for capturing moving subjects, whether it’s kids playing or pets dashing about. Manual focus lets the user recover some control when autofocus struggles, invaluable for macro or tricky lighting.

While neither system is race-car fast by modern standards, Casio’s system notably enhances reliability and frame success rates.

Burst Speed and Continuous Shooting: Catching the Decisive Moment

Sports, action, or kids in motion demand shooting beyond single frames:

• Canon A490: 1 fps max continuous shooting
• Casio EX-ZR700: 3 fps max continuous shooting

For anyone trying to nail that perfect reaction shot or fleeting moment, the Casio clearly offers the more effective burst speed. Although 3 fps isn’t blazing, it beats the lethargic single frame per second from Canon - which will leave you hitting the shutter repeatedly and hoping for the best.

Low-Light Performance and ISO: When Lighting Gets Moody

Low-light capability is usually a weak point for small sensor compacts, but let’s compare:

• Canon A490 max ISO: 1600 (though best quality stops at 400)
• Casio EX-ZR700 max ISO: 3200 (usable up to 800 mostly)

The Canon, due to its CCD architecture, struggles with noise fairly early - images get muddy looking by ISO 800, making nighttime or indoor shooting challenging without a flash.

Casio’s CMOS sensor paired with EXILIM Engine results in cleaner images at ISO 800 and decent exposure capabilities up to ISO 1600, but with noticeable noise.

If night shooting or astro photography interests you, don’t expect magic here - both cameras have limited success due to sensor size and processing power, with Casio edging ahead moderately.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures in the DSLR Era

Back in the early 2010s, video was starting to become an expectation for compact cameras:

• Canon A490: 640 x 480 pixel video at 30 fps (Motion JPEG format)
• Casio EX-ZR700: Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, plus various slow motion modes (up to 1000 fps in very low resolution)

Here, Casio flexes muscles clearly. HD video recording with H.264 compression delivers usable footage for clips, vacations, or family moments. Bonus points for slow-motion captures which, while gimmicky, add creative options.

Canon’s video is limited practically to VGA resolution - practically obsolete for modern needs and only suitable for very casual shoots or video notes.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, so those serious about audio will need external solutions.

Battery Life and Storage: The Practical Stuff That Keeps You Shooting

Many pros and enthusiasts underestimate how battery and storage impact day-to-day usage:

• Canon A490 uses 2x AA batteries, which is convenient worldwide but usually results in modest battery life and added weight for spares.
• Casio EX-ZR700 has a dedicated rechargeable NP-130 lithium-ion battery, rated for about 470 shots per charge.

I personally appreciate the Casio’s rechargeable battery system more. While AA batteries are ubiquitous, carrying spares can be bulky and expensive over time. Casio’s dedicated battery coupled with USB charging streamlines travel convenience.

Both cameras feature a single SD card slot, but the Casio supports SDXC, allowing larger cards and more shooting capacity, while Canon is limited to SDHC and MMC formats.

Durability and Build Quality: Life Outside the Studio

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or ruggedness features, so neither is suited for extreme environments or heavy rain without care.

Build-wise, the Casio feels more solid with firmer button feedback - you sense purpose-built engineering rather than plastic toy vibes. Canon’s design feels lightweight and somewhat fragile, consistent with its budget-friendly pricing.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

How do these cameras fare when you take them for a spin across popular shooting styles? Here’s a snapshot informed by thousands of hours of camera testing and field use:

Canon A490 front Canon A490 screen back Casio EX ZR700 front Casio EX ZR700 screen back

Portraits

Canon’s limited zoom and fixed aperture range mean portrait bokeh is uninspiring, with little background separation. Casio’s longer zoom allows some compression and subject isolation, and face detection aids focus. Yet neither delivers the creamy bokeh or skin tone nuance of larger sensor cameras.

Landscapes

Casio’s higher resolution sensor shines here, capturing fine detail and broad dynamic range in good light. Canon’s lower resolution and older CCD sensor reduce sharpness and dynamic range noticeably. Lack of weather sealing on both limits rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife

Casio’s 450mm equivalent zoom offers new possibilities compared to Canon’s 122mm cap. Faster AF tracking aids in nabbing moving critters. Burst rate helps but is still sluggish for real action. Canon struggles immensely in this realm.

Sports

Neither camera is ideal for fast-action sports due to slow continuous shooting and AF. Casio’s 3 fps and tracking autofocus edge out Canon, but results remain modest.

Street

Canon’s small size and lightweight form factor benefit street photographers who prize stealth - though slow AF slows shooting pace. Casio’s bigger size slightly hinders discretion but compensates with better screens and faster autofocus.

Macro

Canon boasts an impressive 1cm macro range versus Casio’s 5cm minimum. However, Casio’s manual focus helps get sharper close-ups. Absence of focus stacking or bracketing limits advanced macro work.

Night/Astro

Neither camera excels, but Casio’s higher ISO ceilings and image stabilization marginally improve low-light usability - still, both are limited by noise and sensor size.

Video

Casio easily eclipses Canon with HD video and slow-motion options.

Travel

Canon’s battery flexibility with AA cells is convenient on the road; Casio’s bigger zoom and battery life provide greater versatility.

Professional Use

Neither camera fits pro workflows - lack of RAW support, limited manual controls (especially on Canon), and fragile build disqualify serious professional applications.

The Lens Ecosystem Question: Fixed Means Limited

Both cameras come with non-interchangeable, fixed lenses - a significant limitation for enthusiasts craving growth or varied focal lengths.

To compensate, Casio’s superzoom covers a broad range, and manual focus offers creative freedom. Canon’s modest zoom confines users to snapshot capabilities.

If you’re searching for a system to build upon, you’d naturally look elsewhere (like entry-level DSLRs or mirrorless).

Connectivity: Transfers, Tethering, and Modern Conveniences

Surprisingly, neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC - which we’ve come to expect, even in budget devices.

Both rely on USB 2.0 for transfers (an honest sign of their age) with no HDMI on Canon (Casio has HDMI out).

No GPS capsules or wireless geotagging either. That’s a notable missing feature, especially for travel shooters wanting instant photo sharing or location logging.

Price and Value: What Are You Paying For?

At launch and still in secondhand markets:

• Canon A490 retails (new-old stock) around $99 USD - an ultra-budget choice.
• Casio EX-ZR700 runs about $370 USD new, reflecting its more advanced features and zoom.

If budget is tight and ease-of-use paramount, Canon wins on price alone.

If you want better image quality, more control, a longer zoom, and decent video, Casio commands a premium - but with good reason.

Summary Scorecard: Putting It All Into Perspective

What Type of Photographer Should Choose Which?

To cap this deep dive off with some practical buying nuggets:

• Absolute beginners or casual snapshot takers on a tight budget: The Canon A490 is simple, light, and easy. It produces decent images for everyday use but you’ll hit limits quickly if your ambitions grow.
• Enthusiasts wanting more creative control, zoom versatility, and video: The Casio EX-ZR700 is a better bet. It bridges casual shooting and intentional photography, offering manual modes and a versatile zoom.
• Wildlife or sports casual shooters: Casio, hands down, due to zoom and AF improvements.
• Travelers needing compactness plus versatility: Casio offers a more flexible toolset, though the Canon’s battery convenience can’t be ignored.
• Professionals or serious hobbyists: Neither camera suffices. Look to modern mirrorless or DSLR cameras with larger sensors, interchangeable lenses, and robust features.

Different Photography Styles Ranked

For your final reference, here’s how these two stack up across popular genres and use cases:

Final Thoughts: Holding Two Cameras From a Bygone Era

Pulling back to the big picture - both Canon A490 and Casio EX-ZR700 reflect their respective times and intended audiences. The A490 is a pure budget snapshot tool, stripped to essentials and unambitious by today’s standards. The EX-ZR700 attempts to blend compact convenience with some enthusiast features, resulting in a better all-rounded shooter.

Having tested both extensively, I can say the Casio’s better sensor, zoom, and controls make it a much more rewarding camera for anyone wanting to explore digital photography without breaking the bank on DSLRs or mirrorless systems. The Canon’s simplicity is its selling point, but that also means it may frustrate users wanting to grow or shoot beyond simple snapshots.

If you stumble across one of these at a good price, factor your personal needs carefully - and remember, these cameras are more about nostalgia and casual shooting than professional-level results.

After all, the beauty of photography is in the journey, not just the specs. And sometimes, there’s charm in a humble A490 photo catch. But if you want to stretch your creativity and capture more, the EX-ZR700 is well worth the extra weight in your bag.

Thank you for joining me on this vintage camera adventure. If you have any experiences or questions about these models, feel free to drop a comment - sharing stories keeps the analogue spirit alive in our digital era.