• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-P2 advantages over Canon A490

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    230k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    12.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.1 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon A490 advantages over Olympus E-P2

  • Less expensive
    $110 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A495

Olympus E-P2
Canon A495
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-PL1
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Canon A490
Olympus E-PL1
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus E-PL1

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-PL2
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL2

Canon A490
Olympus E-PL2
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Canon A800

Olympus E-P2
Canon A800
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-P3
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3

Canon A490
Olympus E-P3
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus E-P3

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