Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
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
Photography Glossary 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.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe 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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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 |
|---|
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.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and MX-1 is 93 and 84 respectively.
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.
Canon A490 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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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 |