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Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 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 S8100
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Nikon S8100

 A490 S8100 

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Canon A490

 S8100 A490 
RevealedSeptember 2010January 2010Newer by 8 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k115kSharper display (+806k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Nikon S8100

 A490 S8100 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 size comparison

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

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography information
Nikon S8100 Portrait photography information
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
26
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Nikon S8100
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography details
Nikon S8100 Sports photography details
16
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
38
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S8100 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
55
flash built-in
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography features
Nikon S8100 Landscape photography features
22
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging details
Nikon S8100 Vlogging details
21
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone support
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon A490 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Nikon S8100
 Canon PowerShot A490Nikon 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