Clicky

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Released June 2013
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the TG-2 iHS (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The TG-2 iHS was revealed 4 years after the A230 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the TG-2 iHS grades versus the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Sony A230

 TG-2 iHS A230 
ReleasedJune 2013May 2009More modern by 51 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution610k230kSharper display (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 A230 TG-2 iHS 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony A230

 TG-2 iHS A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-2 iHS provides external measurements of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has sizing 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 TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the TG-2 iHS compared to the A230.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-2 iHS and A230 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-2 iHS and A230.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-2 iHS having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus TG-2 iHS will give extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher TG-2 iHS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography features
Sony A230 Portrait photography features
27
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography details
Sony A230 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Sports photography information
Sony A230 Sports photography information
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
68
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
environment sealing
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography information
Sony A230 Landscape photography information
46
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
better than average battery (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-2 iHS
Vlogging with Sony A230
36
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
9
lack of video recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony A230
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-06-28 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" 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 350 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $380 $569