Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230
86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
44
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide 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 GlossaryThe 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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | July 2009 | February 2009 | Same generation | |
| Manually focus | Dial precise focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical display dimensions | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W230 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-P1 | Sony 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 |