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Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5010 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5010
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-180mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 130g - 96 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2009
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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus FE-5010 versus Sony A230, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the FE-5010 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively close but the FE-5010 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The FE-5010 was announced 4 months before the A230 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus FE-5010 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the FE-5010 scores against the A230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5010 over the Sony A230

 FE-5010 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus FE-5010

 A230 FE-5010 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus FE-5010 and Sony A230

 FE-5010 A230 
LaunchedJanuary 2009May 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus FE-5010 features outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Olympus FE-5010 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the FE-5010 against the A230.

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-5010 and A230 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-5010 and A230.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FE-5010 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Olympus FE-5010 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively.

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-5010 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5010 Street photography features
Sony A230 Street photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (130 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-5010 Sports photography advice
Sony A230 Sports photography advice
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-5010 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than others in class (130 grams)
environment proofing
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
45
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-5010 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
31
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5010 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
28
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (130g)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Olympus FE-5010 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5010 and Sony A230
 Olympus FE-5010Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus FE-5010 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-01-07 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 36-180mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.6 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 130 gr (0.29 lbs) 490 gr (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type xD-Picture Card (1GB, 2GB), microSD (MASD-1 is required) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $130 $569