• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A490 advantages over Nikon AW100

  • Less expensive
    $110 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon AW100 advantages over Canon A490

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

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Buy the Canon A490

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW100

Review Excerpt

  • Nice design; Good shutter button; High resolution; Good shot-to-shot time; Includes GPS maps.

  • Buttons are hard to press; Corners are soft; Flash overwhelms close up; Frustrating controls; Worse than average print quality.

  • Read our Nikon AW100 Express Review

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

Compare Canon A490 vs Canon A495

Nikon AW100
Canon A495
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW100 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

Nikon AW100
Pentax E90
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW100 vs Pentax E90

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Canon A490
Olympus TG-610
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-610

Nikon AW100
Olympus TG-610
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon AW100 vs Olympus TG-610

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

Nikon AW100
Canon A800
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW100 vs Canon A800

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Canon A490
Fujifilm XP50
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon A490 vs Fujifilm XP50

Nikon AW100
Fujifilm XP50
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon AW100 vs Fujifilm XP50

Compare Other Cameras?