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Canon A490 vs Nikon S640

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 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 S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Canon A490 vs Nikon S640, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the S640 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A490 was announced 6 months later than the S640 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the A490 scores against the S640 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Nikon S640

 A490 S640 

Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Canon A490

 S640 A490 
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k115kSharper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Nikon S640

 A490 S640 
IntroducedJanuary 2010August 2009Same age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon A490 offers physical dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Nikon S640 has specifications of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the A490 and the S640.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and S640 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and S640.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon S640 to provide greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography advice
Nikon S640 Portrait photography advice
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography advice
Nikon S640 Street photography advice
46
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (130 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A490
Sports photography with Nikon S640
16
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
34
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography features
Nikon S640 Travel photography features
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
62
lighter than others (130 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A490
Landscape photography with Nikon S640
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
32
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A490
Vlogging with Nikon S640
21
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (130g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
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Canon A490 vs Nikon S640 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Nikon S640
 Canon PowerShot A490Nikon Coolpix S640
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Nikon Coolpix S640
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2009-08-04
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed
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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 5 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lbs) 130 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $99 $225