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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Announced January 2010
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Canon A490 versus Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A490 was manufactured 6 months later than the ZR1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the A490 matches up vs the ZR1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic ZR1

 A490 ZR1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon A490

 ZR1 A490 
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kSharper display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZR1

 A490 ZR1 
IntroducedJanuary 2010July 2009Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon A490 offers outer dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Canon A490 versus Panasonic ZR1 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 differ based on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the A490 against the ZR1.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A490 and ZR1 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out specs. The graphic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and ZR1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZR1 to provide extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics much more aggressively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
20
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
16
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography info
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
57
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography information
22
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging advice
21
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic port
28
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot A490Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-05 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine V
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 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 5 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175g (0.39 lb) 158g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $99 $280