The Powershot A490 features a 3.3x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent of 37-122mm and a maximum aperture of f/3.0 (W) - f/5.8 (T). When powered down, the lens will retract inside the camera for protection.
An advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system permits the camera to
automatically select the primary subject even when off-center. The
focusing range is:
Normal AF: 2-inches/5cm - infinity (W), 9.8-inches/25cm - infinity (T)
In low light conditions the focus-assist lamp helps to illuminate the subject for accurate focusing.
Here you can see the A490's flash unit and AF Assist lamp (mentioned above). The flash shoots in a variety of modes: Auto, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Shutter
Sync: 1st curtain, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Smart Flash Exposure. Since the camera runs on AA batteries, the flash is slow to recharge, taking around 10 seconds.
The flash range at ISO Auto is:
Wide: 1-9.8 ft./30cm-3.0m
Tele: 1-6.6 ft./30cm-2.0m
Framing and Viewing your images is done on the camera's 2.5-inch, 115,000 dot LCD screen. This is a lower resolution screen, and it can be tough to see in bright light or direct sunlight.
Controls on the back: Top is the zoom control which also functions as
the magnified playback and index mode when in play mode. The Playback
button switches the camera back and forth between REC and PLAY modes.
Next is the 4-way selector, which is used to navigate menu screens and
select images for playback. In record mode the 'Up' button changes the exposure compensation, 'Left' enables the macro focus modes, 'Right' changes the
flash mode and the 'Down' button enables the self-timer. The
OK/FUNCtion button accepts menu selections and gives access to the
Function shortcut menu. The Mode dial has has been replaced with camera
and playback buttons. Finally the MENU button calls up and dismisses
the menu system.
The I/O ports: A/V output for television (NTSC or PAL). The DIGITAL
port connects USB 2.0 to the computer for downloading. It also allows
for Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer. DC IN jack
for an optional AC power supply.
The A490 accepts SD and SDHC type memory cards as well as MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus, HC MMC Plus Cards. Shown above is a SanDisk Ultra II, 15MB/s, 4GB SDHC memory card.
Approx. Storage Capacities:
Number of Recordable Images
Large (L)
Medium 1 (M1)
Medium 2 (M2)
Medium 3 (M3)
F
N
F
N
F
N
F
N
File Size (KB)
2,565
1,226
1,620
780
1,116
556
558
278
4GB
1,471
3,017
2,320
4,641
3,352
6,352
6,352
12,069
16GB
6,026
12,354
9,503
19,007
13,727
26,010
26,010
49,420
Small (S)
Widescreen (W)
F
N
F
N
File Size (KB)
150
84
1,920
918
4GB
20,116
30,174
1,978
4,022
16GB
82,367
123,550
8,101
16,473
Time of Recordable Movies
Standard,
Color Accent, Color Swap
640
x 480
320 x 240
30 (29.97) fps
30 (29.97) fps LP
30 (29.97) fps
Movie size (KB/sec.)
1,932
972
672
4GB
32 min. 26 sec.
1 hr. 02 min. 51 sec.
1 hr. 31 min. 25 sec.
16GB
2 hr. 12 min. 50
sec.
4 hr. 17 min. 23
sec.
6 hr. 14 min. 23
sec.
Note: N=Normal F=Fine
Storage Capacity varies depending on camera settings. This data is
estimated from Canon's standard shooting conditions. Figures for Movie
Mode represent total capacity of the particular media.
Powering the A490 is are standard AA-type batteries. Either standard Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries can be used, which means that extra batteries can be picked up almost anywhere you are. Canon claims that the camera is able to capture 150 shots with Alkaline or 400 shots with Ni-MH batteries in compliance with CIPA standards.
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.
Here you can see the A490's flash unit and AF Assist lamp (mentioned above). The flash shoots in a variety of modes: Auto, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Shutter
Sync: 1st curtain, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Smart Flash Exposure. Since the camera runs on AA batteries, the flash is slow to recharge, taking around 10 seconds.
Framing and Viewing your images is done on the camera's 2.5-inch, 115,000 dot LCD screen. This is a lower resolution screen, and it can be tough to see in bright light or direct sunlight.
The A490 accepts SD and SDHC type memory cards as well as MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus, HC MMC Plus Cards. Shown above is a SanDisk Ultra II, 15MB/s, 4GB SDHC memory card.
Powering the A490 is are standard AA-type batteries. Either standard Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries can be used, which means that extra batteries can be picked up almost anywhere you are. Canon claims that the camera is able to capture 150 shots with Alkaline or 400 shots with Ni-MH batteries in compliance with CIPA standards.
