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Canon A490 vs Sony G3

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 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
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
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Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon A490 vs Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A490 was released 13 months after the G3 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the A490 matches up against the G3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Sony G3

 A490 G3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010January 2009Newer by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Canon A490

 G3 A490 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3.5"2.5"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k115kCrisper screen (+806k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A490 and Sony G3

 A490 G3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A490 offers external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Examine the Canon A490 vs Sony G3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the A490 against the G3.

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A490 and G3 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and G3.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you will need to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The newer A490 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 Portrait photography information
Sony G3 Portrait photography information
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
26
manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography details
Sony G3 Street photography details
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography features
Sony G3 Sports photography features
16
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
23
image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A490
Travel photography with Sony G3
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography factors
Sony G3 Landscape photography factors
22
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
36
manual focus
very good size screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging information
Sony G3 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
27
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Sony G3
 Canon PowerShot A490Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3.5"
Display resolution 115k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175g (0.39 pounds) 185g (0.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $99 $200