Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon A490 compared to pro digicam competitors include: it has a much larger screen (2.5" vs 2"), is significantly smaller (compact (94×62×31 mm) vs large (141×86×142 mm)), is newer (january 2010 vs july 2006), is thinner (1.2" vs 5.6") and is significantly lighter (175 g vs 734 g).
However, on average it has a slightly narrower wide angle lens (37 mm vs 35 mm), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't have a screen which flips out, doesn't have a viewfinder (none vs digital) and doesn't support an external flash.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
3 years older
$1,199
Significant advantages of the DMC-FZ50 (vs the A490)
Significant disadvantages of the DMC-FZ50 (vs the A490)
common strengths of the DMC-FZ50 and A490