Clicky

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 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
  • Launched January 2010
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Introduced March 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus SH-3
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Below is a detailed assessment of the Canon A490 versus Olympus SH-2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and SH-2 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The A490 was brought out 6 years earlier than the SH-2 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick summation of how the A490 scores against the SH-2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Olympus SH-2

 A490 SH-2 

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Canon A490

 SH-2 A490 
IntroducedMarch 2015January 2010More recent by 63 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k115kCrisper screen (+345k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A490 and Olympus SH-2

 A490 SH-2 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A490 provides external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Canon A490 versus Olympus SH-2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the A490 compared to the SH-2.

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A490 and SH-2 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by looking through specifications. The visual below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and SH-2.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SH-2 to render more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older A490 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography highlights
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
44
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Canon A490 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Street photography camera
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (271g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A490
Sports photography with Olympus SH-2
16
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
great battery (380 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography information
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography information
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
74
great battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (271g)
boasts focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography info
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography info
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
55
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
great battery (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging highlights
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging highlights
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone port
35
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
Photography Glossary

Canon A490 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Olympus SH-2
 Canon PowerShot A490Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-01-05 2015-03-11
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 5 -
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 range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 115 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 11.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 175g (0.39 pounds) 271g (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 - 380 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $99 $399