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Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Launched January 2010
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon A490 versus Pentax K-5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the A490 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The A490 was announced 11 months before the K-5 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon A490 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A490 matches up against the K-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Pentax K-5

 A490 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Canon A490

 K-5 A490 
RevealedDecember 2010January 2010More recent by 11 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k115kCrisper screen (+806k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Pentax K-5

 A490 K-5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 offers outside measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Canon A490 versus Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the A490 versus the K-5.

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and K-5 is 93 and 60 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specs. The photograph here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A490 and K-5.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A490 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-5 will deliver extra detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older A490 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
73
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
16
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Travel photography highlights
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
environment sealing
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
22
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 Vlogging details
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Canon A490 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Pentax K-5
 Canon PowerShot A490Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Pentax K-5
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-01-05 2010-12-18
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 5 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 115k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $99 $800