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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Released March 2014
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
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Samsung NX mini versus Sony A230, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and A230 (10MP) and the NX mini (1") and A230 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The NX mini was introduced 4 years after the A230 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the NX mini scores versus the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A230

 NX mini A230 
AnnouncedMarch 2014May 2009Newer by 59 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Samsung NX mini

 A230 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony A230

 NX mini A230 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX mini offers external dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony A230 has measurements 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 NX mini versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the NX mini against the A230.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and A230 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specifications. The pic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the NX mini and A230.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NX mini having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Samsung NX mini will provide greater detail using its extra 10.5MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer NX mini is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini Street photography factors
Sony A230 Street photography factors
81
tilting screen
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography factors
Sony A230 Sports photography factors
54
high shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
bad battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography advice
Sony A230 Travel photography advice
76
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (196g)
offers focus by touch
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery (230 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography factors
Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count decent (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (650 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
bad battery (230 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging factors
Sony A230 Vlogging factors
38
touchscreen enabled
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A230
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-03-19 2009-05-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX-M Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 2 143
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 10.00 m
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 196g (0.43 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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 650 shots 230 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model B740 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $530 $569