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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Pentax Q
  • Later Model is Pentax Q7
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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q10 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the Q10 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The Q10 was introduced 3 years later than the A230 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the Q10 grades versus the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony A230

 Q10 A230 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012May 2009Fresher by 41 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax Q10

 A230 Q10 

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony A230

 Q10 A230 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q10 enjoys exterior dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the Q10 versus the A230.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q10 and A230 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Q10 and A230.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q10 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Pentax Q10 will give extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent Q10 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q10 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
48
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q10 Street photography info
Sony A230 Street photography info
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (200 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q10
Sports photography with Sony A230
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q10 Travel photography advice
Sony A230 Travel photography advice
60
lighter than competitors (200g)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (270 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
45
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q10 Landscape photography info
Sony A230 Landscape photography info
54
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 shots)
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 Vlogging info
Sony A230 Vlogging info
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (200g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
9
no video shooting
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony A230
 Pentax Q10Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-09-10 2009-05-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type 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 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 8 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 200 grams (0.44 lb) 490 grams (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 63
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.9 11.4
DXO Low light rating 183 531
Other
Battery life 270 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $350 $569