• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A490 advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Less expensive
    $110 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    175g vs 274g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Canon A490

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.63 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.15 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A495

Canon A490
Canon A495
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
Olympus XZ-1
Canon A495
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Pentax E90

Canon A490
Pentax E90
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
Olympus XZ-1
Pentax E90
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung TL500

Canon A490
Samsung TL500
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus XZ-1
Samsung TL500
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon A800

Canon A490
Canon A800
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus XZ-1
Canon A800
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon N100

Canon A490
Canon N100
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
Olympus XZ-1
Canon N100
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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