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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus TG-860
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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus TG-870 versus Sony A230, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) and the TG-870 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The TG-870 was revealed 6 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summation of how the TG-870 matches up vs the A230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony A230

 TG-870 A230 
LaunchedJanuary 2016May 2009Fresher by 81 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus TG-870

 A230 TG-870 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A230

 TG-870 A230 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 offers external dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-870 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the TG-870 compared to the A230.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-870 and A230 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-870 and A230.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TG-870 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Olympus TG-870 will provide greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-870 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
36
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography info
Sony A230 Street photography info
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than others (221 grams)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography highlights
Sony A230 Sports photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (300 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10MP)
bad battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
69
better than average battery life (300 shots)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (21mm)
more heavy than others (221g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
45
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery life (230 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
50
really wide (21mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
better than average battery life (300 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview feature
MP count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (230 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging factors
Sony A230 Vlogging factors
32
really wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than others (221 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony A230
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2016-01-06 2009-05-18
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 221 grams (0.49 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 300 pictures 230 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $280 $569