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Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230

Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Released August 2020
  • Replacement is Panasonic S5 II
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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the S5 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) and the S5 (Full frame) and A230 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The S5 was introduced 11 years later than the A230 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S5 matches up vs the A230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Sony A230

 S5 A230 
IntroducedAugust 2020May 2009Fresher by 137 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.0"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1840k230kCrisper screen (+1610k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic S5

 A230 S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Sony A230

 S5 A230 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S5 has external measurements of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) and the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the S5 compared to the A230.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S5 and A230 is 60 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S5 and A230.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S5 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic S5 will offer more detail using its extra 14MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent S5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
85
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 Street photography information
Sony A230 Street photography information
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 Sports photography features
Sony A230 Sports photography features
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has no phase detect autofocus
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
79
weather sealing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A230 Landscape photography highlights
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3.0 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2020-08-14 2009-05-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 31 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.0 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,840 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 714 grams (1.57 lb) 490 grams (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 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 440 photographs 230 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 2 One
Launch pricing $1,999 $569