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Canon A490 vs Sony A7R

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7R II
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Canon A490 vs Sony A7R Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Canon A490 versus Sony A7R, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and A7R (36MP) and the A490 (1/2.3") and A7R (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The A490 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the A7R which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon A490 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A490 grades vs the A7R for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Sony A7R

 A490 A7R 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Canon A490

 A7R A490 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2010More modern by 50 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1230k115kSharper display (+1115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Sony A7R

 A490 A7R 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon A490 provides outer measurements 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 Sony A7R has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Examine the Canon A490 versus Sony A7R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the A490 against the A7R.

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A490 and A7R is 93 and 78 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A490 and A7R.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A490 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A7R will produce extra detail due to its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged A490 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7R Portrait photography highlights
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
84
has manual focus
megapixel count great (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography factors
Sony A7R Street photography factors
46
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
80
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (465 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7R as a Sports photography camera
16
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
megapixel count great (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (340 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A490
Travel photography with Sony A7R
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competitors in class (465 grams)
environment proof
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (340 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R as a Landscape photography camera
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging features
Sony A7R Vlogging features
21
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
36
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (465g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Canon A490 vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Sony A7R
 Canon PowerShot A490Sony Alpha A7R
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Sony Alpha A7R
Class Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-01-05 2014-02-13
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 5 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 gr (0.39 lb) 465 gr (1.03 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 95
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 2746
Other
Battery life - 340 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $99 $1,898