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Sony A3000 vs Sony W230

Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58
Sony Alpha A3000 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Later Model is Sony a3500
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Sony A3000 versus Sony W230, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the A3000 (20MP) and W230 (12MP) and the A3000 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The A3000 was released 4 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the A3000 scores versus the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Sony W230

 A3000 W230 
RevealedAugust 2013February 2009More recent by 56 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony A3000

 W230 A3000 

Common features in the Sony A3000 and Sony W230

 A3000 W230 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony A3000 comes with external measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Sony A3000 versus Sony W230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A3000 versus the W230.

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3000 and W230 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A3000 and W230.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A3000 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony A3000 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer A3000 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A3000 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W230 Portrait photography highlights
77
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A3000 Street photography details
Sony W230 Street photography details
56
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (411 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A3000 Sports photography info
Sony W230 Sports photography info
59
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A3000 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
60
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (411 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A3000 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W230 Landscape photography highlights
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (470 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
36
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A3000 Vlogging information
Sony W230 Vlogging information
26
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
more heavy than competitors (411 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic port
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Sony A3000 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A3000 and Sony W230
 Sony Alpha A3000Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A3000 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-08-27 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ image -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5456 x 3632 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 16000 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format AVCHD, H.264, MP4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 411g (0.91 lbs) 156g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1068 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $398 $180