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Sony A230 vs Sony A500

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

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
  • Released May 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Newer Model is Sony A560
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Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Sony A230 vs Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are built by Sony. The resolution of the A230 (10MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A230 was announced 3 months prior to the A500 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the A230 scores vs the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony A500

 A230 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A230

 A500 A230 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony A500

 A230 A500 
ReleasedMay 2009August 2009Similar generation
Focus manually More precise focus
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A230 provides physical dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) and the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Sony A230 vs Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the A230 versus the A500.

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A230 and A500 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A230 and A500.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony A500 to offer you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively.

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography factors
Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10MP)
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography highlights
Sony A500 Street photography highlights
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 fps)
low MP (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 CIPA)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery power (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography information
Sony A500 Travel photography information
45
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery (230 shots)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
43
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery power (520 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
Sony A500 Landscape photography factors
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10MP)
low battery (230 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery power (520 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging advice
Sony A500 Vlogging advice
9
can't shoot video
9
no video recording
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Sony A230 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony A500
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-05-18 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 490 gr (1.08 lbs) 630 gr (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 64
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 11.6
DXO Low light score 531 772
Other
Battery life 230 images 520 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $569 $638