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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
64
Features
71
Overall
66

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Introduced December 2011
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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Sony A230 versus Sony NEX-7, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are built by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The A230 was revealed 3 years earlier than the NEX-7 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the A230 scores against the NEX-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony NEX-7

 A230 NEX-7 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Sony A230

 NEX-7 A230 
IntroducedDecember 2011May 2009Newer by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-7

 A230 NEX-7 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A230 features physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Check the Sony A230 versus Sony NEX-7 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 the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the A230 against the NEX-7.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A230 and NEX-7 is 69 and 84 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The pic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A230 and NEX-7.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony NEX-7 to produce more detail because of its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged A230 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A230
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-7
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (10 megapixels)
78
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography information
Sony NEX-7 Street photography information
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Sports photography advice
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
62
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (430 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A230
Travel photography with Sony NEX-7
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery power (230 shots)
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
good battery power (430 shots)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
low MP (10MP)
low battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (430 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A230
Vlogging with Sony NEX-7
9
can't shoot video
35
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony NEX-7
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha NEX-7
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-05-18 2011-12-13
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB 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
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 grams (1.08 lbs) 400 grams (0.88 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 81
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 13.4
DXO Low light score 531 1016
Other
Battery life 230 images 430 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $569 $699