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Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Released August 2012
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
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
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Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Olympus VH-515 versus Sony A230, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VH-515 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is very close but the VH-515 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The VH-515 was announced 3 years after the A230 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VH-515 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the VH-515 grades versus the A230 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Sony A230

 VH-515 A230 
ReleasedAugust 2012May 2009Newer by 40 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus VH-515

 A230 VH-515 
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Sony A230

 VH-515 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus VH-515 offers external dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VH-515 versus Sony A230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the VH-515 compared to the A230.

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VH-515 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specs. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VH-515 and A230.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The VH-515 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Olympus VH-515 will result in greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent VH-515 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
27
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography highlights
Sony A230 Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus via touch
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Sports photography details
Sony A230 Sports photography details
32
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VH-515
Travel photography with Sony A230
62
offers focus via touch
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
low MP (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Landscape photography info
Sony A230 Landscape photography info
37
rather wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Vlogging information
Sony A230 Vlogging information
35
rather wide (26mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone jack
9
no video
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Olympus VH-515 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Sony A230
 Olympus VH-515Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VH-515 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-08-21 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
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
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 152g (0.34 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 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 - 230 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $648 $569