Canon A490 vs Nikon L20
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A490 and Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are available at Canon A490 Gallery and Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Nikon L20
A490 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon A490
L20 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Sharper display (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Nikon L20
A490 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Nikon 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 |