• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A490
  • Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A490 170 IS
Alternate Model Number(s):   IXUS 170
Camera Format: Compact Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $109.99 $149.99
Street Price: $74.97 $370.99
Date Available: 2010-02-28 2015-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.2 oz (175 g) 5.0 oz (141 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.7 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(94 x 62 x 31 mm) 		3.9 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
(100 x 58 x 23 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 20.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.69 microns 1.20 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) 		5152 x 3864 (19.9 MP, 4:3),
5152 x 2896 (14.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.9 0.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30/​30 LP)
320x240 (30) 		1280x720 (25p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: Linear PCM (Monaural))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: No No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 37 - 122mm 25 - 300mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.6 - 21.6mm 4.5 - 54mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.30x 12.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.0 (W) to f/5.8 (T) f/3.6 (W) / f/7.0 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 2 cm to Infinity
0.8 in to Infinity 		5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in 		1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection (5-point) Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 230,400 dots (78,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   1600
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, ISO 100 - 1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No No
Shutter Priority: No No
Full Manual Exposure: No No
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Low Light, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Sunset, Fireworks, Long Shutter Portrait, Face Self-timer, Low Light, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter
Self Timer: 2, 10, custom seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Shutter Sync: 1st curtain, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Smart Flash Exposure Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 30 cm - 3.0 m (W), 30 cm - 2.0 (T) (12 in. - 9.8 ft (W), 12 in. - 6.6 ft. (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 ft. - 13 ft. (W), 3.3 - 6.6 ft. (T) (50cm - 4.0m (W), (1.0m - 2.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: Linear PCM (Monaural))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control:
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended):    
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.9 0.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 400 shots (NiMH AA) 200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary NB-11LH/NB-11L
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline, Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary NB-11LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Smart Auto, i-Contrast. Available in two-toned Silver and Black. Intelligent IS, 720p HD videos, available in blue, silver or black.