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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 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
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-C3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-3N
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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-F3, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A230 was released 4 years prior to the NEX-F3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the A230 grades against the NEX-F3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony NEX-F3

 A230 NEX-F3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Sony A230

 NEX-F3 A230 
RevealedAugust 2012May 2009Newer by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-F3

 A230 NEX-F3 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony A230 provides outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony NEX-F3 has dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check the Sony A230 and Sony NEX-F3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the A230 vs the NEX-F3.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A230 and NEX-F3 is 69 and 86 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specs. The image below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and NEX-F3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony NEX-F3 to resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged A230 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography features
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
76
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography info
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 per charge)
53
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery life (470 shots)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
great battery life (470 shots)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography information
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
27
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone socket
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Sony A230 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony NEX-F3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-05-18 2012-08-16
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
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 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lbs) 314 gr (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 63 73
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 12.3
DXO Low light score 531 1114
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 470 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $569 $470