Pentax 645D vs Sony A230
50 Imaging
75 Features
52 Overall
65


69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46
Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 40MP - Medium format Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Pentax 645AF2 Mount
- 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
- Released March 2010
- Successor is Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)

Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Overview
In this article, we are analyzing the Pentax 645D and Sony A230, former being a Pro DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the 645D (40MP) and A230 (10MP) and the 645D (Medium format) and A230 (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

The 645D was unveiled 10 months later than the A230 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 645D grades versus the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax 645D & Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The full galleries are available at Pentax 645D Gallery & Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Sony A230
645D | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 10 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax 645D
A230 | 645D |
---|
Common features in the Pentax 645D and Sony A230
645D | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax 645D features external measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
Examine the Pentax 645D and Sony A230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the 645D versus the A230.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 645D and A230 is 50 and 69 respectively.

Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out specifications. The photograph here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the 645D and A230.
Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 645D with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax 645D will produce greater detail having an extra 30MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger 645D should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax 645D vs Sony A230 Specifications
Pentax 645D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax 645D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 |
Class | Pro DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2010-03-10 | 2009-05-18 |
Body design | Large SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | Medium format | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 44 x 33mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 1,452.0mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 40MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 7264 x 5440 | 3872 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax 645AF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 6 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 0.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 921k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.85x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/125 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Highest video resolution | None | None |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 1480 grams (3.26 lbs) | 490 grams (1.08 lbs) |
Dimensions | 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 82 | 63 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.6 | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.6 | 11.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 1262 | 531 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 pictures | 230 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Two | Single |
Cost at launch | $4,000 | $569 |