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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230

Portability
67
Imaging
63
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3100
  • Successor is Nikon D3300
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Nikon D3200 and Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3200 was unveiled 3 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the D3200 scores vs the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A230

 D3200 A230 
IntroducedJuly 2012May 2009Fresher by 39 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D3200

 A230 D3200 

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A230

 D3200 A230 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3200 offers outside measurements of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3200 and Sony A230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the D3200 versus the A230.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D3200 and A230 is 67 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3200 and A230.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon D3200 to provide greater detail having an extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent D3200 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3200 Portrait photography advice
Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 Street photography advice
Sony A230 Street photography advice
59
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3200 Sports photography factors
Sony A230 Sports photography factors
64
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10MP)
terrible battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3200 Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
59
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 per charge)
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3200
Landscape photography with Sony A230
69
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
terrible battery (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
27
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
9
no video
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Sony A230
 Nikon D3200Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3200 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-07-25 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 357.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505g (1.11 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm (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 score 81 63
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 11.4
DXO Low light score 1131 531
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 230 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $530 $569