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Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230

Portability
86
Imaging
46
Features
42
Overall
44
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P2
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-P1 and Sony W230, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very close but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and W230 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-P1 was introduced 6 months after the W230 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-P1 grades versus the W230 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Sony W230

 E-P1 W230 

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus E-P1

 W230 E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Sony W230

 E-P1 W230 
RevealedJuly 2009February 2009Same generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 offers external measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P1 and Sony W230 in the all new Camera and 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 using at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-P1 and the W230.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and W230 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P1 and W230.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor sizes. The E-P1 has the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography factors
Sony W230 Portrait photography factors
59
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography features
Sony W230 Sports photography features
39
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (300 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
43
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
Landscape photography with Sony W230
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
36
has manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging highlights
Sony W230 Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Sony W230
 Olympus PEN E-P1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-07-29 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355g (0.78 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $182 $180