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Sony A230 vs Sony A390

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A380
Photography Glossary

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Sony A230 vs Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are designed by Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and A390 (14MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A230 was introduced 14 months before the A390 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A230 matches up vs the A390 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony A390

 A230 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony A230

 A390 A230 
IntroducedJuly 2010May 2009More modern by 14 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony A390

 A230 A390 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A230 enjoys exterior 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) whilst the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A230 vs Sony A390 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the A230 compared to the A390.

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and A390 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The image underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A230 and A390.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony A390 to give you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A230 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
Sony A390 Portrait photography advice
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10MP)
72
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony A390
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography details
Sony A390 Travel photography details
45
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low battery (230 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A390 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low battery (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging features
Sony A390 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
9
lack of video recording
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Sony A230 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony A390
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-05-18 2010-07-28
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490g (1.08 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 11.5
DXO Low light score 531 607
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 230 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $569 $500