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Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230

Portability
66
Imaging
65
Features
77
Overall
69
Nikon D5200 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 555g - 129 x 98 x 78mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Previous Model is Nikon D5100
  • Updated by Nikon D5300
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
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Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon D5200 versus Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the D5200 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D5200 was manufactured 4 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the D5200 grades versus the A230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5200 over the Sony A230

 D5200 A230 
ReleasedMay 2013May 2009Fresher by 49 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D5200

 A230 D5200 

Common features in the Nikon D5200 and Sony A230

 D5200 A230 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5200 enjoys outer measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") with a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Nikon D5200 versus Sony A230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the D5200 versus the A230.

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5200 and A230 is 66 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D5200 and A230.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon D5200 to show extra detail due to its extra 14MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern D5200 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5200 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5200 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
69
screen articulates
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5200 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
61
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (500 shots)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery power (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5200 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
69
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
low battery life (500 per charge)
45
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery power (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5200 Landscape photography features
Sony A230 Landscape photography features
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (500 per charge)
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5200 Vlogging features
Sony A230 Vlogging features
71
screen is selfie friendly
includes face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone port
does not have image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D5200 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5200 and Sony A230
 Nikon D5200Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5200 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-05-16 2009-05-18
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 39 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 555 grams (1.22 lbs) 490 grams (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 129 x 98 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 63
DXO Color Depth score 24.2 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 11.4
DXO Low light score 1284 531
Other
Battery life 500 images 230 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $595 $569