Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
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84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- 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 - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Introduced July 2013
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Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Canon A490 and Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively close but the A490 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor size.
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The A490 was launched 4 years earlier than the MX-1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the A490 matches up against the MX-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A490 and Pentax MX-1. The complete galleries are provided at Canon A490 Gallery and Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Pentax MX-1
A490 | MX-1 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Canon A490
MX-1 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2013 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 42 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 115k | Crisper screen (+805k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Pentax MX-1
A490 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 features external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).
Analyze the Canon A490 and Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the A490 and the MX-1.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and MX-1 is 93 and 84 respectively.
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Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and MX-1.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A490 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax MX-1 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older A490 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
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Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Pentax MX-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot A490 | Pentax MX-1 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-01-05 | 2013-07-01 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 5 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 115 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 175 grams (0.39 lbs) | 391 grams (0.86 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 49 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 290 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | D-Li-106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $99 | $400 |