• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon A490 advantages over Olympus TG-2

  • Less expensive
    $110 vs $380 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    122 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    175g vs 230g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus TG-2 advantages over Canon A490

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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 GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    610k 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
    12.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon A490

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-2

Review Excerpt

  • Fast f/2 lens at wide angle; Decent image quality for its class; Excellent waterproof and rugged specs; Solid feature set, including the cool Microscopic Macro function for super closeups; Aperture priority mode; Peppy performance and good battery life; Accepts conversion lenses.

  • Tendency to underexpose shots in Auto mode; Aggressive noise reduction smudges fine detail; Poor video quality with lots of artifacts; No built-in Wi-Fi.

  • Read our Olympus TG-2 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

Olympus TG-2
Canon A495
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-2 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

Olympus TG-2
Pentax E90
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Pentax E90

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

Olympus TG-2
Canon A800
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Canon A800

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Canon A490
Olympus TG-1
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-1

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-1
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Canon A490
Olympus TG-3
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-3
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-3

Compare Other Cameras?