Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 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)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Released May 2009
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is very similar and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The A490 was manufactured 8 months later than the ZS3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the A490 matches up vs the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A490 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A490 Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic ZS3
A490 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 8 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon A490
ZS3 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 115k | Crisper display (+345k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS3
A490 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 offers exterior dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the A490 and the ZS3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and ZS3 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The visual underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and ZS3.
Plainly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of images however you will want to take the production date of the products into consideration. The younger A490 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A490 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2010-01-05 | 2009-05-14 |
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 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 5 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 115 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
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 | 175g (0.39 lbs) | 229g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | ||
Storage media | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $99 | $200 |