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Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Key Specs

Canon A490
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 175g - 94 x 62 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2010
Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Canon A490 and Olympus TG-2 iHS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the TG-2 iHS (12MP) is relatively similar and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A490 was manufactured 4 years before the TG-2 iHS and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A490 grades versus the TG-2 iHS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 A490 TG-2 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Canon A490

 TG-2 iHS A490 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2010Fresher by 42 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution610k115kClearer screen (+495k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Olympus TG-2 iHS

 A490 TG-2 iHS 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Canon A490 has got external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Olympus TG-2 iHS has specifications of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Look at the Canon A490 and Olympus TG-2 iHS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the A490 versus the TG-2 iHS.

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and TG-2 iHS is 93 and 91 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and TG-2 iHS.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus TG-2 iHS to deliver extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older A490 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography info
Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography features
Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography features
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography details
Olympus TG-2 iHS Sports photography details
16
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography factors
Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography factors
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
better than average battery pack (350 per charge)
weather proof
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
46
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging information
Olympus TG-2 iHS Vlogging information
21
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic jack
36
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Olympus TG-2 iHS
 Canon PowerShot A490Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2010-01-05 2013-06-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 5 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115k dots 610k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 pounds) 230 grams (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 350 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA Li-90B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus -
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $99 $380