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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The XG-1 was introduced 5 years after the A230 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the XG-1 grades against the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A230

 XG-1 A230 
LaunchedJuly 2014May 2009More modern by 63 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax XG-1

 A230 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A230

 XG-1 A230 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 offers outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the XG-1 versus the A230.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and A230 is 66 and 69 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and A230.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The XG-1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax XG-1 will offer you extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The younger XG-1 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
40
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (567 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony A230
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution (10MP)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
Sony A230 Travel photography details
52
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than competition (567 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (230 per charge)
low resolution (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
45
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery life (240 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
low resolution (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
25
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (567 grams)
9
can't record video
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A230
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-07-15 2009-05-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 pounds) 490g (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 240 images 230 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $599 $569