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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 III
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
  • Successor is Sony A290
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony A230, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and A230 (10MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and A230 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was launched 7 years later than the A230 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-M1 II grades vs the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony A230

 E-M1 II A230 
ReleasedSeptember 2016May 2009Fresher by 90 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 A230 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A230

 E-M1 II A230 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony A230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-M1 II vs the A230.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and A230 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and A230.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Olympus E-M1 II will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
76
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography information
Sony A230 Street photography information
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
weather proof
lighter than competition (574 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Sony A230
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (10 megapixels)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
72
lighter than competition (574g)
weather proof
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
45
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
low MP (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
Sony A230 Landscape photography highlights
76
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
low MP (10MP)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Sony A230 Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone port
lighter than competition (574 grams)
9
no video
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A230
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2016-09-19 2009-05-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 107 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video data format MOV, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 63
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 11.4
DXO Low light rating 1312 531
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 230 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Two One
Cost at release $1,700 $569