Nikon D3100 vs Sony A230
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Released December 2010
- Older Model is Nikon D3000
- Refreshed by Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
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On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe D3100 was revealed 20 months later than the A230 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the D3100 grades vs the A230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3100 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The full galleries are available at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A230
| D3100 | A230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | December 2010 |  | May 2009 | More recent by 20 months |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D3100
| A230 | D3100 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A230
| D3100 | A230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | The same screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Missing selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Missing Touch screen |
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3100 enjoys external dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon D3100 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the D3100 versus the A230.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A230 is 68 and 69 respectively.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D3100 and A230.
To sum up, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D3100 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher D3100 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A230 Specifications
| Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
| Model type | Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2010-12-21 | 2009-05-18 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Expeed 2 | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor area | 355.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 10MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 3872 x 2592 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
| Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/200 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | - |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video data format | MPEG-4 | - |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 505g (1.11 lbs) | 490g (1.08 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 67 | 63 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 22.3 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 11.4 |
| DXO Low light rating | 919 | 531 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 550 photographs | 230 photographs |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $565 | $569 |