Canon A490 vs Pentax E85
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


95 Imaging
34 Features
10 Overall
24
Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A490 and Pentax Optio E85. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A490 Gallery and Pentax E85 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Pentax E85
A490 | E85 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Canon A490
E85 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Pentax E85
A490 | E85 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2010 | ![]() | September 2009 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax E85 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Pentax 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 |