Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5
69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed June 2010
- New Model is Sony NEX-5N

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-5, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The A230 was introduced 12 months before the NEX-5 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the A230 grades against the NEX-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are provided at Sony A230 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony NEX-5
A230 | NEX-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony A230
NEX-5 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 12 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-5
A230 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony A230 has got outer 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) and the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Look at the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the A230 vs the NEX-5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A230 and NEX-5 is 69 and 89 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A230 and NEX-5.
As you can tell, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony NEX-5 to provide greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged A230 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-05-18 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Available lenses | 143 | 121 |
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 | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 490 grams (1.08 lbs) | 287 grams (0.63 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 63 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.3 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.4 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 531 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 shots | 330 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FH50 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $569 | $599 |