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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Canon A490 versus Panasonic ZS30, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A490 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the ZS30 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A490 matches up vs the ZS30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Panasonic ZS30

 A490 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon A490

 ZS30 A490 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2010More recent by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k115kSharper screen (+805k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS30

 A490 ZS30 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A490 offers outer measurements 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 ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Canon A490 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the A490 versus the ZS30.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A490 and ZS30 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A490 and ZS30.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS30 to provide you with extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older A490 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A490
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
32
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (198g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography advice
16
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
45
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography advice
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
includes touch to focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography details
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
43
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging features
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic port
35
decently wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon A490 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot A490Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-05 2013-01-07
Physical type 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 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 5 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 115k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175g (0.39 lbs) 198g (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 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 1 1
Retail pricing $99 $250