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Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 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
Panasonic TS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 101 x 58 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT20
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Canon A490 and Panasonic TS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and TS20 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A490 was brought out 3 years earlier than the TS20 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the A490 scores against the TS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic TS20

 A490 TS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS20 over the Canon A490

 TS20 A490 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2010Fresher by 25 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kClearer display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic TS20

 A490 TS20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon A490 provides exterior 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) whilst the Panasonic TS20 has sizing of 101mm x 58mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Canon A490 and Panasonic TS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the A490 vs the TS20.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A490 and TS20 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out technical specs. The photograph below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and TS20.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic TS20 to produce more detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older A490 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic TS20 Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
29
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography advice
Panasonic TS20 Street photography advice
46
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
lighter than competition (142g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography info
Panasonic TS20 Sports photography info
16
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography factors
Panasonic TS20 Travel photography factors
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competition (142 grams)
environment sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A490
Landscape photography with Panasonic TS20
22
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual control
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging details
Panasonic TS20 Vlogging details
21
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (142g)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic TS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Panasonic TS20
 Canon PowerShot A490Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT20
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2010-01-05 2012-01-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 5 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.9-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 115k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 grams (0.39 pounds) 142 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 101 x 58 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 - 250 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
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, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $99 $179