• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A490 advantages over Ricoh Theta SC

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $110 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    122 mm vs 7 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Ricoh Theta SC advantages over Canon A490

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    102g vs 175g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.5 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    7 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax E80

Canon A490
Pentax E80
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon A490 vs Pentax E80

Ricoh Theta SC
Pentax E80
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Pentax E80

Compared to Canon A495

Canon A490
Canon A495
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Canon A490 vs Canon A495

Ricoh Theta SC
Canon A495
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Canon A495

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

Compare Canon A490 vs Pentax E90

Ricoh Theta SC
Pentax E90
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Pentax E90

Compared to Nikon L22

Canon A490
Nikon L22
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $130
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Canon A490 vs Nikon L22

Ricoh Theta SC
Nikon L22
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $130
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Nikon L22

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

Compare Canon A490 vs Canon A800

Ricoh Theta SC
Canon A800
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh Theta SC vs Canon A800

Compare Other Cameras?