Clicky

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Leica V-Lux 40 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
48
Overall
41

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Leica V-Lux 40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released May 2012
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Canon A490 versus Leica V-Lux 40, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Leica. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and V-Lux 40 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The A490 was revealed 3 years earlier than the V-Lux 40 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A490 scores versus the V-Lux 40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 A490 V-Lux 40 

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Canon A490

 V-Lux 40 A490 
ReleasedMay 2012January 2010More modern by 28 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k115kCrisper screen (+346k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A490 and Leica V-Lux 40

 A490 V-Lux 40 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon A490 enjoys outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Leica V-Lux 40 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A490 versus Leica V-Lux 40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the A490 against the V-Lux 40.

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and V-Lux 40 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The picture below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A490 and V-Lux 40.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Leica V-Lux 40 to produce greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged A490 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 as a Portrait photography camera
Leica V-Lux 40 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
MP count decent (14MP)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Leica V-Lux 40
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography details
Leica V-Lux 40 Sports photography details
16
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography features
Leica V-Lux 40 Travel photography features
50
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
supports touch focus
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography info
Leica V-Lux 40 Landscape photography info
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 as a Vlogging camera
Leica V-Lux 40 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone port
35
really wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
Photography Glossary

Canon A490 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Leica V-Lux 40
 Canon PowerShot A490Leica V-Lux 40
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Leica V-Lux 40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-05 2012-05-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 5 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 115k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 gr (0.39 pounds) 210 gr (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 210 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $99 $699