Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


92 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36
Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Released June 2012
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
- Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The A490 was unveiled 3 years prior to the ZS15 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A490 scores vs the ZS15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A490 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15. The full galleries are available at Canon A490 Gallery & Panasonic ZS15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic ZS15
A490 | ZS15 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon A490
ZS15 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 30 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 115k | Crisper display (+345k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS15
A490 | ZS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A490 features exterior dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
See the Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the A490 versus the ZS15.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and ZS15 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and ZS15.
As you can tell, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS15 to produce more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged A490 will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot A490 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ25 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2010-01-05 | 2012-06-29 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 5 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 115k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 6.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 175 grams (0.39 pounds) | 208 grams (0.46 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | - | 260 photographs |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $99 | $279 |