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Canon A490 vs Pentax W90

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Revealed January 2010
Pentax W90
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kCrisper display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Pentax W90

 A490 W90 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2010Same generation
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

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

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography factors
Pentax W90 Portrait photography factors
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A490
Street photography with Pentax W90
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A490
Sports photography with Pentax W90
16
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
24
environment proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography factors
Pentax W90 Travel photography factors
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
64
environment proofing
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography factors
Pentax W90 Landscape photography factors
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
37
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging features
Pentax W90 Vlogging features
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic port
25
relatively wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Canon A490 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot A490Pentax 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