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Nikon D300S vs Sony W230

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Revealed November 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D300
  • New Model is Nikon D600
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Nikon D300S vs Sony W230, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the D300S (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The D300S was revealed 10 months after the W230 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D300S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the D300S grades versus the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Sony W230

 D300S W230 
LaunchedNovember 2009February 2009Newer by 10 months
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Nikon D300S

 W230 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Sony W230

 D300S W230 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D300S provides exterior dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Sony W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the D300S versus the W230.

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and W230 is 55 and 95 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D300S and W230.

As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The D300S provides the bigger sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The younger D300S will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography information
Sony W230 Portrait photography information
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300S
Street photography with Sony W230
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (938g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography info
Sony W230 Sports photography info
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography factors
Sony W230 Travel photography factors
48
environment sealing
has built in flash
heavier than competition (938 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography factors
Sony W230 Landscape photography factors
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
37
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
22
offers face detection focus
comes with external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than competition (938 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Nikon D300S vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Sony W230
 Nikon D300SSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D300S Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-11-16 2009-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Available lenses 309 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 1s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938g (2.07 lbs) 156g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 787 not tested
Other
Battery life 950 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Two Single
Price at release $1,630 $180