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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-F3
Photography Glossary

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A230 was released 3 years prior to the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the A230 scores against the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony NEX-C3

 A230 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony A230

 NEX-C3 A230 
LaunchedAugust 2011May 2009More recent by 27 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-C3

 A230 NEX-C3 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Sony A230 has got external 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 NEX-C3 has sizing of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A230 and the NEX-C3.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A230 and NEX-C3 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A230 and NEX-C3.

To sum up, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony NEX-C3 to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older A230 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography info
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
79
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (225 grams)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography factors
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography details
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (400 shots)
lighter than competition (225 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography info
51
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
27
lighter than competition (225 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony NEX-C3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-05-18 2011-08-22
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
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 area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias 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
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Amount of lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
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
AEB
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
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lb) 225 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 73
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 12.2
DXO Low light rating 531 1083
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 400 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $569 $343