• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax Optio A40
  • Canon PowerShot A490
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A40 A490
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $299.95 $109.99
Street Price:   $74.97
Date Available: 2008-02-15 2010-02-28
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 5.3 oz (150 g)
includes batteries 		6.2 oz (175 g)
Size: 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(91 x 56 x 23 mm) 		3.7 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(94 x 62 x 31 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.0 10.0
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 1.69 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) 		3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: n/a 0.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30) 		640x480 (30/​30 LP)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (DivX MPEG-4) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: SMC Pentax Zoom (7 elements in 5 groups, 3 aspherical) Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 37 - 111mm 37 - 122mm
Focal Length (actual): 7.9 - 23.7mm 6.6 - 21.6mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.30x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (wide) - f/5.4 (tele) - ??? f/3.0 (W) to f/5.8 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity 		2 cm to Infinity
0.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 6 - 40 cm
2.4 - 15.7 in 		1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 6x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 5 point Contrast Detect AF; spot, tracking, and face recognition Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection (5-point)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 2.5
Rear Display Resolution: 232,000 dots 115,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 8.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (auto up to 3200 in Digital SR mode) Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 4 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL metering: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Natural Skin Tone, Half-length Portrait (3MP), Night Scene, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Kids, Digital SR (5MP), Surf & Snow, Sport, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite (3MP), Dynamic Range Adjustment Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Low Light, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Sunset, Fireworks, Long Shutter
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: On, Off, Auto, Redeye, Soft Flash Auto, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Shutter Sync: 1st curtain, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Smart Flash Exposure
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: Wide: 0.20 - 23 ft (0.06 – 7.1 m); Tele: Approx. 1.15 – 11 ft (0.35 – 3.5 m) Auto ISO: 30 cm - 3.0 m (W), 30 cm - 2.0 (T) (12 in. - 9.8 ft (W), 12 in. - 6.6 ft. (T)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (DivX MPEG-4) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory: 21.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: IR, optional  
Connections (extended): DC input  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):   0.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 240 shots 400 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI68 2 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Alkaline, Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI68 Lithium Ion rechargeable 2 x AA Alkaline disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software (S-SW69) CD-ROM Canon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Smart Auto, i-Contrast. Available in two-toned Silver and Black.