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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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
  • Released May 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) and the WG-2 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The WG-2 was released 2 years after the A230 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the WG-2 matches up against the A230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Sony A230

 WG-2 A230 
ReleasedFebruary 2012May 2009Newer by 34 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax WG-2

 A230 WG-2 

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Sony A230

 WG-2 A230 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-2 has got physical dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 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).

Look at the Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the WG-2 and the A230.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-2 and A230 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The picture underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 and A230.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The WG-2 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax WG-2 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The younger WG-2 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
40
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detection focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
Sports photography with Sony A230
38
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
Travel photography with Sony A230
70
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
45
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low battery power (230 shots)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A230 Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (28mm)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 and Sony A230
 Pentax Optio WG-2Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-02-07 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.40 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 192 gr (0.42 pounds) 490 gr (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 pictures 230 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $350 $569