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Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230

Portability
66
Imaging
51
Features
80
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
49
Features
40
Overall
45

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH4
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
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
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Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic GH3 versus Sony A230, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the GH3 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) and the GH3 (Four Thirds) and A230 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH3 was revealed 3 years after the A230 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the GH3 grades versus the A230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Sony A230

 GH3 A230 
ReleasedSeptember 2012May 2009More modern by 41 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kCrisper display (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic GH3

 A230 GH3 

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Sony A230

 GH3 A230 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH3 has physical dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and 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).

Compare the Panasonic GH3 versus Sony A230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the GH3 and the A230.

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH3 and A230 is 66 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing technical specs. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the GH3 and A230.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GH3 having a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic GH3 will provide greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger GH3 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
70
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
53
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH3
Street photography with Sony A230
65
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (550 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
63
max fps high (20.0 frames/s)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery (540 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery (540 per charge)
weather proofing
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (550 grams)
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Landscape photography features
Sony A230 Landscape photography features
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (540 shots)
lack of image stabilization
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Vlogging factors
Sony A230 Vlogging factors
65
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic jack
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (550g)
9
no video recording
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Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-09-17 2009-05-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine VII FHD Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 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
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 107 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED Monitor with static touch control -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,744k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 -
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550 grams (1.21 lb) 490 grams (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 71 63
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.4
DXO Low light rating 812 531
Other
Battery life 540 shots 230 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $799 $569