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Sony A230 vs Sony A850

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced April 2010
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Sony A230 vs Sony A850 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Sony A230 versus Sony A850, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both created by Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and A850 (25MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The A230 was revealed 11 months before the A850 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the A230 scores versus the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony A850

 A230 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony A230

 A850 A230 
IntroducedApril 2010May 2009Newer by 11 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony A850

 A230 A850 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A230 comes with external dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Sony A230 versus Sony A850 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the A230 vs the A850.

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and A850 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A230 and A850.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A230 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A850 will provide more detail because of its extra 15MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged A230 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10MP)
72
manual focus
MP count great (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography advice
Sony A850 Street photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony A850
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count great (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography advice
Sony A850 Travel photography advice
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
environment proofing
MP count great (25MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count great (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
no liveview feature
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
9
can't shoot video
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Sony A230 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony A850
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-05-18 2010-04-15
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 gr (1.08 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 63 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 12.2
DXO Low light rating 531 1415
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 880 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single 2
Price at launch $569 $0