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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Released January 2010
Panasonic ZS3
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic ZS3

 A490 ZS3 
ReleasedJanuary 2010May 2009Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon A490

 ZS3 A490 
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k115kCrisper display (+345k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS3

 A490 ZS3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

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

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography factors
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
50
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than competitors (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A490
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
22
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
35
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging info
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon PowerShot A490Panasonic 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