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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 appreciated, but the zoom and low light performance get mixed reviews. The storage and viewfinder get less positive reviews.

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)
Show more features

Showing 106 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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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. People are impressed by the performance and portability. The flash and battery are also appreciated. There are some negative comments 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 also get good feedback. Some have doubts about the memory and flash. Comments about the zoom and image quality are mixed.

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 : 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
Read the full review

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
Read the full review

Expert review by (gadgetheaven.co.uk)

Canon PowerShot A490

 

When it comes to the Canon PowerShot A490, sleekness has been taken to a whole new level. This is one digital camera that has been equipped with compact but simplistic features that can be related to any one that is using them. This camera comes in...

Apr, 2010
Read the full review

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
Read the full review

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
Read the full review

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

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

Canon PowerShot A490 (Silver) review: Canon PowerShot A490 (Silver)

 

Canon PowerShot A490 (Silver)

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 : Elias Plastiras (ninemsn.com.au)

Canon PowerShot A490 digital camera

 

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...

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...

Oct, 2010
Read the full review
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