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Sony A230 vs Sony A580

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 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 A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced May 2011
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Sony A230 vs Sony A580 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Sony A230 and Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are created by Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and A580 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The A230 was introduced 24 months prior to the A580 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A230 scores against the A580 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony A580

 A230 A580 

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Sony A230

 A580 A230 
AnnouncedMay 2011May 2009More modern by 24 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony A580

 A230 A580 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A230 has got outer 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 A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Sony A230 and Sony A580 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the A230 vs the A580.

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A230 and A580 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and A580.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony A580 to offer greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged A230 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography features
Sony A580 Portrait photography features
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography info
Sony A580 Street photography info
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
75
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony A580
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
bad battery (230 shots)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
better than average battery pack (1,050 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A580 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (230 per charge)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
better than average battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A580 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (1,050 shots)
has double storage slots
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging information
Sony A580 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Sony A230 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony A580
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-05-18 2011-05-26
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
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
Max flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490g (1.08 lb) 599g (1.32 lb)
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 Overall score 63 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 13.3
DXO Low light score 531 1121
Other
Battery life 230 photos 1050 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Two
Retail pricing $569 $848