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Canon A490 vs Sony W230

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon A490 vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a thorough assessment of the Canon A490 versus Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the A490 (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A490 was brought out 11 months after the W230 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the A490 grades versus the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Sony W230

 A490 W230 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon A490

 W230 A490 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k115kSharper display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Sony W230

 A490 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 has external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A490 versus Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the A490 compared to the W230.

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and W230 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The pic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A490 and W230.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony W230 to produce greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The younger A490 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A490 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography advice
Sony W230 Sports photography advice
16
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A490 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
22
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
36
has manual focus
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging factors
Sony W230 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic port
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon A490 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Sony W230
 Canon PowerShot A490Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A490 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 175 grams (0.39 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 recording
Storage type SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $99 $180