Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230
92 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46
Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
- Announced January 2012
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT4
- Succeeded the Panasonic TS3
- Newer Model is Panasonic TS5
(Full Review)

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the TS4 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the TS4 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

The TS4 was released 2 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic TS4 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the TS4 matches up against the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic TS4 Gallery & Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Sony A230
TS4 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2012 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 33 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic TS4
A230 | TS4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Sony A230
TS4 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic TS4 provides exterior measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
See the Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the TS4 and the A230.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TS4 and A230 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through specifications. The photograph underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TS4 and A230.
Plainly, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The TS4 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic TS4 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern TS4 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony A230 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 |
Also called | Lumix DMC-FT4 | - |
Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2012-01-31 | 2009-05-18 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 28-128mm (4.6x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1300 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.60 m | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 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 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 197 gr (0.43 pounds) | 490 gr (1.08 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 310 photographs | 230 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $399 | $569 |