Canon A490 vs Sony G3
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A490 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon A490 Gallery and Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Sony G3
A490 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2010 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 13 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Canon A490
G3 | A490 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+1") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 115k | Crisper screen (+806k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon A490 and Sony G3
A490 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A490 | Sony 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 |