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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Revealed May 2017
  • Previous Model is Olympus TG-4
  • New Model is Olympus TG-6
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
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-5 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the TG-5 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The TG-5 was unveiled 8 years later than the A230 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the TG-5 grades versus the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Sony A230

 TG-5 A230 
LaunchedMay 2017May 2009Fresher by 98 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus TG-5

 A230 TG-5 

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Sony A230

 TG-5 A230 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-5 offers physical measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the TG-5 and the A230.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-5 and A230 is 90 and 69 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-5 and A230.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The TG-5 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus TG-5 will give greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher TG-5 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography advice
Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
39
focusing manually
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (250g)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
46
high max frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery life (340 shots)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Travel photography details
Sony A230 Travel photography details
68
great battery life (340 shots)
weather proof
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (230 shots)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A230 Landscape photography highlights
57
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
great battery life (340 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging details
Sony A230 Vlogging details
34
really wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competition (250g)
9
no video recording
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Sony A230
 Olympus Tough TG-5Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2017-05-17 2009-05-18
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII 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 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 20.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 490 gr (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life 340 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $449 $569