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Canon A490 vs Sony W800

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A490 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 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
  • Announced January 2010
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced February 2014
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Canon A490 vs Sony W800 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon A490 and Sony W800, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the A490 (10MP) and W800 (20MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A490 was brought out 5 years earlier than the W800 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A490 grades versus the W800 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A490 over the Sony W800

 A490 W800 

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Canon A490

 W800 A490 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2010Fresher by 50 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kCrisper display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A490 and Sony W800

 A490 W800 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A490 provides external measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony W800 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A490 and Sony W800 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the A490 vs the W800.

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A490 and W800 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The graphic below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A490 and W800.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony W800 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older A490 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A490 vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A490
Portrait photography with Sony W800
19
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
38
decent MP (20 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A490 Street photography info
Sony W800 Street photography info
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A490 Sports photography factors
Sony W800 Sports photography factors
16
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A490
Travel photography with Sony W800
50
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competitors (125g)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A490 Landscape photography advice
Sony W800 Landscape photography advice
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A490 Vlogging highlights
Sony W800 Vlogging highlights
21
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
33
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Canon A490 vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A490 and Sony W800
 Canon PowerShot A490Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A490 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-05 2014-02-13
Body design 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 5 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175g (0.39 lb) 125g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $99 $90