Canon A490 vs Pentax W90
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


94 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 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
- Revealed January 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
- Announced February 2010

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Canon A490 versus Pentax W90, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The A490 was revealed at a similar time to the W90 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the A490 scores versus the W90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A490 and Pentax Optio W90. The full galleries are available at Canon A490 Gallery and Pentax W90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Pentax W90
A490 | W90 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon A490
W90 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Crisper display (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Pentax W90
A490 | W90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2010 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 provides physical measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).
Look at the Canon A490 versus Pentax W90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the A490 against the W90.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A490 and W90 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A490 and W90.
As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax W90 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively.

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Pentax Optio W90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A490 | Pentax Optio W90 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2010-01-05 | 2010-02-24 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Prime |
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 | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti alias 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 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 5 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 115k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 175 grams (0.39 lbs) | 164 grams (0.36 lbs) |
Dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | 2 x AA | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $99 | $120 |