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Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P3
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-P2 versus Sony A230, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and A230 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-P2 was launched 12 months later than the A230 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-P2 grades against the A230 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Sony A230

 E-P2 A230 
RevealedApril 2010May 2009Fresher by 12 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus E-P2

 A230 E-P2 

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Sony A230

 E-P2 A230 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P2 has outer measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P2 versus Sony A230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-P2 versus the A230.

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and A230 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P2 and A230.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-P2 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Olympus E-P2 will give greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The younger E-P2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P2
Portrait photography with Sony A230
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P2
Sports photography with Sony A230
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 shots)
no phase detect AF
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10MP)
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
43
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (300 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography details
Sony A230 Landscape photography details
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery (300 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
not so great battery life (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-P2 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Sony A230
 Olympus PEN E-P2Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-04-22 2009-05-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 107 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lbs) 490 gr (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 63
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.4
DXO Low light rating 505 531
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 230 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $799 $569