Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12 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
- Launched January 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Released January 2012
Photography Glossary Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Canon A490 and Olympus SZ-12, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe A490 was released 24 months prior to the SZ-12 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the A490 scores versus the SZ-12 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A490 & Olympus SZ-12. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon A490 Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Olympus SZ-12
| A490 | SZ-12 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon A490
| SZ-12 | A490 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2012 | January 2010 | More recent by 24 months | |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 115k | Crisper screen (+345k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Olympus SZ-12
| A490 | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | No manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 features external measurements 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 Olympus SZ-12 has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A490 and Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the A490 and the SZ-12.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A490 and SZ-12 is 93 and 89 respectively.
Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the A490 and SZ-12.
Plainly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-12 to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older A490 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A490 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A490 | Olympus SZ-12 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Olympus |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot A490 | Olympus SZ-12 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2010-01-05 | 2012-01-10 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
| Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 5 | - |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.0-6.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 115 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1700s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.00 m | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| 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 180 (30fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone 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 gr (0.39 lb) | 226 gr (0.50 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
| 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 photographs |
| Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | 2 x AA | LI-50B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Price at launch | $99 | $350 |