Sony A230 vs Sony A550
69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Sony A230 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced December 2009
- Earlier Model is Sony A100
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Its time to take a closer look at the Sony A230 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are designed by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe A230 was announced 6 months before the A550 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the A230 grades versus the A550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The whole galleries are available at Sony A230 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony A550
| A230 | A550 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A230
| A550 | A230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 922k |  | 230k | Sharper display (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony A550
| A230 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2009 |  | December 2009 | Same generation |
| Manual focus |  | Very accurate focus | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither contains Touch display |
Sony A230 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A230 has got external dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Analyze the Sony A230 versus Sony A550 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the A230 compared to the A550.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A230 and A550 is 69 and 63 respectively.
Sony A230 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The photograph here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and A550.
As you can tell, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony A550 to provide greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively.
Sony A230 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony A230 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Sony | Sony |
| Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2009-05-18 | 2009-12-09 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Bionz | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 143 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230k dot | 922k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | 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 |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Highest video resolution | None | None |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 490 grams (1.08 pounds) | 632 grams (1.39 pounds) |
| Physical 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 rating | 63 | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.3 | 21.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light rating | 531 | 807 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 images | 480 images |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | NP-FH50 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Price at launch | $569 | $749 |
