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Sony A9 vs Sony A230

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Renewed by Sony A290
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Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Sony A9 vs Sony A230, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both manufactured by Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the A9 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) and the A9 (Full frame) and A230 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The A9 was brought out 8 years later than the A230 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the A9 matches up against the A230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony A230

 A9 A230 
RevealedApril 2017May 2009More recent by 97 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony A9

 A230 A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony A230

 A9 A230 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A9 features external measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) and 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).

Take a look at the Sony A9 vs Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the A9 against the A230.

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A9 and A230 is 65 and 69 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A9 and A230.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A9 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony A9 will offer you greater detail having its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent A9 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
83
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography info
Sony A230 Street photography info
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9
Travel photography with Sony A230
73
better than average battery life (650 shots)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
provides focus by touch
decent MP (24MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low battery (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
85
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
two card slots
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A9
Vlogging with Sony A230
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
9
no video
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Sony A9 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony A230
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A9 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2017-04-19 2009-05-18
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,440k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 673 grams (1.48 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 92 63
DXO Color Depth score 24.9 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 11.4
DXO Low light score 3517 531
Other
Battery life 650 images 230 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Two 1
Price at launch $4,498 $569