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Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 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
  • Released January 2010
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS11
Photography Glossary

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Canon A490 and Panasonic FH3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and FH3 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A490 was introduced around the same time to the FH3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the A490 matches up against the FH3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic FH3

 A490 FH3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Canon A490

 FH3 A490 
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k115kCrisper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic FH3

 A490 FH3 
LaunchedJanuary 2010January 2010Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon A490 has physical dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Canon A490 and Panasonic FH3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the A490 versus the FH3.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and FH3 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specifications. The photograph underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and FH3.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic FH3 to offer you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Panasonic FH3
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Sports photography camera
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Travel photography advice
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
64
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography advice
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging info
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging info
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
29
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Panasonic FH3
 Canon PowerShot A490Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FS11
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-05 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 gr (0.39 lb) 165 gr (0.36 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $99 $160