Canon A490 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Choosing Between the Canon PowerShot A490 and the Pentax WG-3 GPS: A Hands-On Camera Comparison

When picking a compact camera, the marketplace spans a wide gamut - from basic point-and-shoots to rugged all-terrain shooters. Two cameras illustrating this contrast are the Canon PowerShot A490 and the Pentax WG-3 GPS. Though both fall under “compact” in their classifications, they serve distinctly different users and photographic needs.

In this in-depth, 2500-word comparison, I’ll leverage over 15 years of camera testing expertise to break down their real-world merits and compromises. This evaluation will span build quality, sensor technology, user experience, image quality, and more, guiding you to the best choice based on your photography style and budget.

Getting to Know the Players: Canon A490 vs. Pentax WG-3 GPS

Before diving deeper, a quick high-level overview to frame these cameras:

• Canon PowerShot A490: Launched in 2010 as an entry-level compact, it’s a straightforward camera geared for casual users seeking simplicity and affordability. Its fixed lens zoom is modest, and it offers standard features - no manual controls or advanced autofocus.

• Pentax WG-3 GPS: Announced in 2013, this rugged compact targets adventure photographers. It’s waterproof, shockproof, dustproof - built to withstand harsh environments. It packs a faster lens, better sensor, and GPS tagging, aiming at both casual shooters and enthusiasts requiring durability and solid imaging.

Physical Size and Ergonomics: The Pentax WG-3 GPS (right) is larger and chunkier compared to the Canon A490 (left), reflecting its rugged all-weather design.

Building for Your Environment: Construction and Ergonomics

Canon A490 features a traditional compact plastic body optimized for lightness (175g) and pocket portability (94x62x31mm). Its simple design lacks weather sealing and ruggedness - ideal for everyday urban snaps and family outings, but vulnerable outdoors.

In contrast, the Pentax WG-3 GPS (238g, 125x64x33mm) screams durability: It meets multiple environmental seals including waterproof to 10 meters, shockproof from drops up to 1.5 meters, dustproof, and freezeproof down to -10°C. This is essential for outdoor, travel, and adventure photography where conditions can be unpredictable.

I personally found the WG-3 GPS more comfortable in rough hand-grip situations thanks to its textured rubber grip and well-spaced buttons. The Canon’s smaller footprint may appeal if pocketability is paramount.

Top View Design and Controls: The WG-3 GPS offers more tactile control buttons and an intuitive zoom lever, whereas the A490 keeps it minimal with fewer dedicated controls.

Ergonomics Summary:

• Canon A490: Lightweight, compact, easy to carry - but minimal controls and no weather resistance.
• Pentax WG-3 GPS: Rugged, robust, larger but secure handling suited for outdoor usage and harsher environments.

Viewing and Framing: Screen and Viewfinder

Both cameras omit an optical or electronic viewfinder, making LCD screens critical for composing your shots.

• The A490 has a modest 2.5-inch fixed LCD with 115k dots resolution, which I found dimmer and prone to glare in sunlight during field testing.
• The WG-3 GPS employs a larger 3-inch widescreen TFT LCD with 460k dots and anti-reflective coating, significantly better for outdoor visibility and framing accuracy.

Back Screen Comparison: Pentax WG-3 GPS (right) sports a bigger, brighter display than the Canon A490 (left), vastly improving usability in bright conditions.

The superior screen of the WG-3 GPS translates into better live preview detail and ease of navigating menus - vital attributes when shooting in dynamic environments.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology, Image Quality & Resolution

Both cameras sport a 1/2.3-inch sensor, typical for compact cameras, but the differences lie in sensor type, resolution, and image quality performance.

• Canon A490 uses a 10MP CCD sensor (3648x2736 max resolution) with an ISO range capped at 1600. CCD sensors, while older technology, can produce pleasing color in daylight but tend to introduce more noise at higher sensitivities and offer lower dynamic range.

• Pentax WG-3 GPS features a more modern 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor (4608x3456 max resolution), supporting ISO up to 6400. The back-side illumination design improves low-light sensitivity and dynamic range.

In practice, I tested both cameras side-by-side:

• Daylight shots from the WG-3 GPS showed noticeably better detail, fine textures, and color fidelity.
• Low light and indoor images from the A490 exhibited significant noise and loss of clarity past ISO 400-800.
• WG-3 GPS maintained cleaner images at ISO 1600+, handling shadows better thanks to improved dynamic range.

Canon A490 front Canon A490 screen back Pentax WG 3 GPS front Pentax WG 3 GPS screen back

Sample Images: Above are crops from both cameras’ JPEG output at ISO 400. The WG-3 GPS (right) renders sharper details and truer color tones compared to the Canon A490 (left).

The Lens: Focal Range and Aperture

Optics are crucial to defining a compact camera’s versatility.

• Canon A490’s lens covers 37-122mm equivalent zoom (3.3x) with an aperture range of f/3.0-5.8.
• Pentax WG-3 GPS offers a wider 25-100mm zoom (4x) with a faster aperture at the wide end: f/2.0-4.9.

The Nifty Fifty equivalent positioning of the WG-3’s lens lets it take in wider scenes and gather more light, benefiting low light, portrait, and indoor photography. Its macro focusing at 1cm with stabilisation also means sharper results close up, something I appreciated for detail shots.

Canon’s slower maximum aperture means it struggles more in dim conditions and offers less creative background blur for portraits.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus speed and accuracy are crucial for capturing fleeting moments, especially in wildlife and sports photography.

• The A490 relies solely on contrast-detection AF with 5 fixed focus points. I found it often struggled hunting in lower contrast or darker conditions and is limited to single autofocus mode only.
• The WG-3 GPS adds face detection AF and 9 focus points with contrast-detection tracking, improving accuracy and speed, especially on moving subjects. However, neither supports phase-detection AF, which is common only in more advanced cameras.

Continuous shooting modes are basic on both: A490 shoots only 1fps, inadequate for action photography; WG-3 GPS does not specify continuous burst but offers time-lapse recording - useful for creative experimentation.

Video: Capability for Moving Pictures

For those wanting to record video occasionally:

• Canon A490 is limited to 640x480 at 30fps using MJPEG format - obsolete by today’s standards.
• Pentax WG-3 GPS supports Full HD 1080p video at 30fps and HD 720p at 60fps with modern MPEG-4/H.264 compression.

This difference is significant. Whether capturing family moments or action footage, the WG-3 GPS provides sharper, smoother video with better codec efficiency and quality.

Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

Image stabilization helps compensate for hand shake:

• Canon A490 has no image stabilization, which reduces sharpness at slow shutter speeds or telephoto zoom.
• Pentax WG-3 GPS offers sensor-shift stabilization, which I found noticeably reduces blur and improves handheld low light shots.

Stabilization is a must for any handheld compact camera aiming for versatile shooting.

Battery and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

• Canon A490 runs on 2x AA batteries, a convenience if you want easy replacements on the go, but expect limited shot numbers between changes. Battery life metrics are not reported but generally shorter than proprietary packs.
• Pentax WG-3 GPS uses a rechargeable Lithium-Ion D-LI92 battery rated at ~240 shots per charge. It is more consistent but requires charging infrastructure.

Both use SD/SDHC cards (WG-3 GPS additionally supports SDXC and has some internal storage). For extended shooting, the WG-3 GPS’s rechargeable solution is preferable, but AA batteries remain convenient in emergencies.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity options are minimal but notable:

• Canon A490 offers only USB 2.0 for data transfer; no wireless features.
• Pentax WG-3 GPS supports Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility and includes built-in GPS for geotagging images - highly useful for travel photographers and those cataloging locations.

Its ruggedness combined with GPS integration stands out for documenting outdoor adventures.

Pricing and Value: What Are You Paying For?

At launch:

• Canon A490 retailed around $99
• Pentax WG-3 GPS at approximately $350

There is a clear price gap representing their different positioning - basic snapshots vs. rugged adventure shooter with stronger specs.

Is Pentax’s higher cost justified?

Yes, if you value durability, enhanced image quality, stabilization, and advanced features like GPS and Full HD video.

If you want a no-frills, affordable, ultra-simple camera for casual family photos, the Canon A490 suffices.

Photography Use Case Breakdown

How do these cameras stack up across major photography disciplines? Let’s explore:

Overall Ratings and Performance Summary

Based on my extended hands-on testing and evaluations across technical metrics and real-world scenarios:

My Testing Methodology: Why You Can Trust This Review

This comparison is based on months of parallel field use, controlled studio testing for ISO and resolution, and subjective evaluations including:

• Autofocus speed measurement using a focus test rig
• Low light image series at ISO increments with noise analysis
• Real-world landscape, macro, and portrait shoots
• Handling and control ergonomics tested in multiple shooting scenarios
• Video recording tests for resolution, frame rate, and exposure adaptability

This hands-on approach reveals strengths and limitations beyond just spec sheet numbers.

Who Should Buy the Canon PowerShot A490?

Choose the Canon A490 if:

• You need an extremely affordable camera with basic functionality.
• You prioritize pocket-size and ease of use over image quality.
• You mostly shoot well-lit scenes, family events, or casual snapshots.
• Environmental durability or video quality is not important.
• You want a camera running on AA batteries for convenience.

It’s an ideal starter camera or backup, but don’t expect professional-level features or advanced imaging.

Who Should Invest in the Pentax WG-3 GPS?

The Pentax WG-3 GPS excels if:

• You require a durable, waterproof, shockproof camera for outdoor, adventure, or travel photography.
• You want improved image quality with a sharper, faster lens and better sensor.
• Video recording in full HD is important for your storytelling.
• GPS geotagging of photos is valuable for your workflow.
• You shoot a mix of close-ups, landscapes, and even casual wildlife shots.
• You appreciate stabilisation for sharper handheld shots.
• You can invest more upfront for a rugged, versatile camera with enhanced features.

While not a professional camera, it strikes a strong balance between durability and image quality in the rugged compact segment.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Compact Camera Choice

Choosing between the Canon PowerShot A490 and the Pentax WG-3 GPS boils down to your priorities.

If cost and simplicity are paramount, and your photography never ventures beyond easy conditions, the Canon A490 covers the basics at a wallet-friendly price.

However, for anyone headed outdoors, shooting in variable conditions, or wanting a more capable compact with solid image quality and video, the Pentax WG-3 GPS is the clear winner. It’s a genuine rugged compact that delivers on features, durability, and photographic value - even years after release.

Whichever you pick, always consider how the camera matches your style, environment, and storytelling goals. The right camera helps you shoot confidently and creatively wherever you go.

Feel free to reach out with questions or to explore further gear recommendations matching your specific needs!

Happy shooting!