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Canon A490 vs Nikon L120

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 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
  • Launched January 2010
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Superseded the Nikon L110
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Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Canon A490 versus Nikon L120, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and L120 (14MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A490 was revealed 13 months before the L120 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A490 grades versus the L120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Nikon L120

 A490 L120 

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon A490

 L120 A490 
LaunchedFebruary 2011January 2010More recent by 13 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k115kSharper display (+806k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Nikon L120

 A490 L120 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 features outside 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 Nikon L120 has measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A490 versus Nikon L120 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the A490 vs the L120.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and L120 is 93 and 75 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and L120.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon L120 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older A490 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography info
Nikon L120 Street photography info
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography information
Nikon L120 Sports photography information
16
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography info
Nikon L120 Travel photography info
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography factors
Nikon L120 Landscape photography factors
22
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
40
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone port
27
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Canon A490 vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot A490Nikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Nikon Coolpix L120
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-01-05 2011-02-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed C2
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 gr (0.39 pounds) 431 gr (0.95 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 330 shots
Battery type - AA
Battery ID 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $99 $300