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Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Canon A490
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 175g - 94 x 62 x 31mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
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Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Canon A490 versus Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Samsung. The image resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A490 was announced 11 months after the HZ15W and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A490 grades versus the HZ15W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A490 HZ15W 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Canon A490

 HZ15W A490 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k115kCrisper display (+345k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Samsung HZ15W

 A490 HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 comes with external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Canon A490 versus Samsung HZ15W in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the A490 against the HZ15W.

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and HZ15W is 93 and 90 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and HZ15W.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Samsung HZ15W to provide more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer A490 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
32
has manual focus
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography features
Samsung HZ15W Street photography features
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
53
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography information
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography information
16
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography factors
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
54
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (249 grams)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A490
Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
heavier than others (249 grams)
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Canon A490 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Samsung HZ15W
 Canon PowerShot A490Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Make Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Samsung HZ15W
Also called - WB550
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-05 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 5 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 115 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 16s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 gr (0.39 lb) 249 gr (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $99 $330