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Canon A490 vs Pentax E85

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
10
Overall
24

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 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 E85
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 32-96mm (F2.9-5.2) lens
  • 145g - 93 x 58 x 24mm
  • Revealed September 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Canon A490 versus Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A490 was brought out 4 months after the E85 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A490 scores versus the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Pentax E85

 A490 E85 

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Canon A490

 E85 A490 
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k115kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Pentax E85

 A490 E85 
RevealedJanuary 2010September 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. 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) while the Pentax E85 has sizing of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Canon A490 versus Pentax E85 in the all new Camera with 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 employing at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the A490 versus the E85.

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A490 and E85 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A490 and E85.

All in all, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax E85 to deliver more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A490
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
20
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Pentax E85
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography info
Pentax E85 Sports photography info
16
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A490
Travel photography with Pentax E85
50
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography advice
Pentax E85 Landscape photography advice
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
23
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic jack
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Pentax E85
 Canon PowerShot A490Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Pentax Optio E85
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-05 2009-09-17
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 5 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 model 2 x AA D-LI95
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/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $99 $0