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Canon PowerShot A490

Canon PowerShot A490
Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot A490Canon PowerShot A490
alaScore 88

143 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 143 reviews of Canon PowerShot A490. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People really like the battery and portability. The image quality and price are also mentioned favorably, but there are some mixed views about the zoom and low light performance. Many are negative about the storage and viewfinder.

usability, price, image quality, portability, battery

shutter, sensor, memory, viewfinder, storage

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot A490 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

See all Canon Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 143 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (47% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (27% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (18% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (45%)Show negative (55%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (73%)Show negative (27%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (13%)Show negative (88%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (40%)Show negative (60%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (20%)Show negative (80%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (75%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
energy
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
exposure
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
contrast
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
glare
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 106 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
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Showing 1 - 63 of 106 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (35)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon PowerShot A490

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 12 user reviews of Canon PowerShot A490 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the performance and portability. The flash and battery are also appreciated. Many are negative about the viewfinder.

usability, battery, flash, portability, performance

viewfinder

83% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon PowerShot A490

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 41 user reviews of Canon PowerShot A490 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the battery and design. The portability and usability are also mentioned favorably, whereas many are less positive about the memory and flash. There are some mixed reviews about the zoom and image quality.

price, usability, portability, design, battery

performance, flash, memory

83% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com)

Canon PowerShot A490 (Silver) review

 

Canon updated 2009's PowerShot A480 by splitting it into two models: the A490 and A495. The PowerShot A490 is about $20 less expensive than the A495, but it's available in silver only; it has a 5-point Face AiAF autofocus system instead of the A495's...

Excellent photos for its price; reliable Auto mode.

Short battery life; low-resolution LCD; slow shooting performance; very basic features.

Though its feature set is light, the Canon PowerShot A490 is a very good choice for anyone on a tight budget who still wants excellent photo quality.

Mar, 2010
Read the full review

Expert review by : Josh Fate (steves-digicams.com)

Canon Powershot A490 Review

 

The Canon PowerShot A490 is a compact, entry-level model featuring excellent image quality and a decent set of features for anyone on a budget. Read more in our Full Conclusion.

Excellent image quality; powerful Built-in flash; video capture; smart Auto shooting mode; incredibly easy to use ; Cons ; Low-Resolution 2.5-Inch LCD ; 640x480 max video resolution (No HD) ; Slow shooting performance ; Bottom Line ; The Canon...

Low-Resolution 2.5-Inch LCD ; 640x480 max video resolution (No HD) ; Slow shooting performance ; Bottom Line ; The Canon PowerShot A490 is a compact, entry-level model featuring excellent image quality and a decent set of features for anyone on a...

The Canon PowerShot A490 is a compact, entry-level model featuring excellent image quality and a decent set of features for anyone on a budget. Read more in our

Feb, 2010
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Expert review by : Digital Camera Review (digitalcamerareview.com)

Canon PowerShot A490 Review

 

When some veteran shooters consider entry-level cameras, they may dismiss such imaging tools as cheaply made and targeted toward snap-shooters. That's stinking thinking because the cameras used by old time photographers were pretty basic, but that...

Aug, 2010
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Expert review by (consumersearch.com)

Canon PowerShot A490 Review

 

Canon PowerShot A490 reviewed by ConsumerSearch, which notes pros and cons, along with reviews and ratings for the Canon PowerShot A490 and comparisons to other Cheap Digital Cameras

Simple to use; Good auto-shooting modes; Great photos for the money

No viewfinder or image stabilization; Slow shooting performance; Not great for low-light shots

May, 2010
Read the full review

Expert review by : Camera Labs (cameralabs.com)

Canon PowerShot A490 / A495

 

The Canon PowerShot A490 / A495 is a budget compact with a 3.3x zoom lens, 10 Megapixel sensor and 2.5in screen. It retains many of the features of the A480 that it replaces, adding Canon's Intelligent Auto exposure with scene recognition, improved...

Simple and elegant design., Superb image quality for the money ., Convenient power source., Some control over settings

No optical or sensor-shift image stabilization., Slow flash recycling., Relatively small and low resolution screen., Limited zoom range

Apr, 2010
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Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (goodgearguide.com.au)

Canon PowerShot A490 digital camera

 

Canon PowerShot A490 review: It won't win any design awards, but it takes great photos considering its price

Good clarity and colours for such an inexpensive camera, good battery life using AAs, improved button layout over the PowerShot A480

Shutter button doesn't have a distinct two-step feel, highlights were overexposed

The Canon PowerShot A490 is a cheap digital camera that can take high quality images. It's a simple point-and-shoot without extensive manual features and it runs on AA batteries. We don't like its shutter button, and it didn't handle highlights too...

Aug, 2010
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Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Canon PowerShot A490

 

We take a look at Canon's cheapest compact camera

Cheap

No image stabilisation, slow autofocus, Limited shooting options, No 720p video

May, 2011
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Expert review by : Dave Stevenson (techradar.com)

Canon PowerShot A490 review

 

Canon surprises with this sub-£100 compact camera

Good image quality ; Well-made ; Cheap

Dull video mode ; All-plastic ; AA batteries double-edged sword

The PowerShot A490 is the latest budget compact camera from Canon, and it comes with a surprising twist.

Mar, 2010
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Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (pcworld.idg.com.au)

Canon PowerShot A490 digital camera

 

Canon PowerShot A490 review: It won't win any design awards, but it takes great photos considering its price

Good clarity and colours for such an inexpensive camera, good battery life using AAs, improved button layout over the PowerShot A480

Shutter button doesn't have a distinct two-step feel, highlights were overexposed

Aug, 2010
Read the full review

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com.au)

Canon PowerShot A490

 

Though its feature set is light, the Canon PowerShot A490 is a very good choice for anyone on a tight budget who still wants excellent photo quality.

Excellent photos for its price ; Reliable Auto mode

Short battery life ; Low-resolution LCD ; Slow shooting performance ; Very basic features

Via CNET

Mar, 2010
Read the full review
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