Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35
Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 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)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Revealed September 2010

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Overview
In this article, we are looking at the Canon A490 and Nikon S8100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the S8100 (12MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The A490 was launched 8 months earlier than the S8100 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A490 grades against the S8100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A490 and Nikon Coolpix S8100. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon A490 Gallery and Nikon S8100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Nikon S8100
A490 | S8100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Canon A490
S8100 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2010 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 8 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 115k | Sharper display (+806k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Nikon S8100
A490 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 has exterior 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) while the Nikon S8100 has measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Compare the Canon A490 and Nikon S8100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the A490 compared to the S8100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and S8100 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The image below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A490 and S8100.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon S8100 to produce more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged A490 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A490 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-01-05 | 2010-09-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 5 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 115k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic 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 grams (0.39 pounds) | 180 grams (0.40 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
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 | - | 220 images |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $99 | $299 |