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Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-2
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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
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Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus SH-1 versus Sony A230, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SH-1 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) and the SH-1 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The SH-1 was introduced 4 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SH-1 scores versus the A230 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Sony A230

 SH-1 A230 
AnnouncedMarch 2014May 2009More recent by 60 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus SH-1

 A230 SH-1 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Sony A230

 SH-1 A230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-1 enjoys external dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-1 versus Sony A230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SH-1 and the A230.

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-1 and A230 is 88 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The photograph here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-1 and A230.

All in all, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SH-1 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus SH-1 will produce more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The newer SH-1 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-1
Portrait photography with Sony A230
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery (380 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography details
Sony A230 Travel photography details
74
good battery (380 shots)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
boasts focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
45
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-1
Landscape photography with Sony A230
49
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good battery (380 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging features
Sony A230 Vlogging features
37
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
lighter than competition in class (271g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
9
no video
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Olympus SH-1 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Sony A230
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-03-31 2009-05-18
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271g (0.60 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life 380 photos 230 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $349 $569