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Canon A490 vs Nikon L20

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 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
  • Revealed January 2010
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Canon A490 vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is very similar and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A490 was launched 12 months after the L20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the A490 grades versus the L20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Nikon L20

 A490 L20 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon A490

 L20 A490 
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k115kSharper display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Nikon L20

 A490 L20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A490 has outer measurements 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 Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the A490 compared to the L20.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and L20 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A490 and L20.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you should consider the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher A490 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography info
Nikon L20 Portrait photography info
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 as a Street photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Street photography camera
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography features
Nikon L20 Sports photography features
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A490
Travel photography with Nikon L20
50
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
55
lighter than competition in class (135g)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Landscape photography camera
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
27
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A490
Vlogging with Nikon L20
21
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone socket
24
lighter than competition in class (135g)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone port
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Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot A490Nikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Nikon Coolpix L20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 5 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lbs) 135 grams (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" 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 ID 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $99 $120