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Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24
Samsung CL5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is PL10
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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
Photography Glossary

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Samsung CL5 versus Sony A230, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the CL5 (9MP) and the A230 (10MP) is pretty similar but the CL5 (1/2.5") and A230 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The CL5 was brought out 2 months earlier than the A230 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the CL5 grades vs the A230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Sony A230

 CL5 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Samsung CL5

 A230 CL5 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Samsung CL5 and Sony A230

 CL5 A230 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009May 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung CL5 comes with outside dimensions of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Samsung CL5 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the CL5 and the A230.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the CL5 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the CL5 and A230.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The CL5 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A230 will deliver greater detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung CL5 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
24
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (9MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Samsung CL5 Street photography advice
Sony A230 Street photography advice
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Samsung CL5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung CL5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (9 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
45
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (230 per charge)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung CL5
Landscape photography with Sony A230
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
terrible battery (230 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung CL5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
25
features face detect focusing
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic support
9
no video recording
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Samsung CL5 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung CL5 and Sony A230
 Samsung CL5Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung CL5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Also called PL10 -
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-02-23 2009-05-18
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 9MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3456 x 2592 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-4.5 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141 gr (0.31 lbs) 490 gr (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") 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 - 230 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $391 $569