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Sony A230 vs Sony HX1

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 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
  • Later Model is Sony A290
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Sony A230 vs Sony HX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Sony. The image resolution of the A230 (10MP) and the HX1 (9MP) is pretty well matched but the A230 (APS-C) and HX1 (1/2.4") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The A230 was released around the same time to the HX1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the A230 grades against the HX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony HX1

 A230 HX1 

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony A230

 HX1 A230 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony HX1

 A230 HX1 
AnnouncedMay 2009April 2009Similar age
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A230 comes with physical 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 HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Examine the Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the A230 and the HX1.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and HX1 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and HX1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A230 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A230 will give more detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography info
Sony HX1 Portrait photography info
54
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (10 megapixels)
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
low MP (9MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A230
Street photography with Sony HX1
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony HX1
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 shots)
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low MP (9MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A230
Travel photography with Sony HX1
45
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
48
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (544g)
low MP (9MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX1 Landscape photography factors
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
MP count low (10MP)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
39
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging details
Sony HX1 Vlogging details
9
no video
22
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 resolution)
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (544 grams)
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Sony A230 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony HX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-05-18 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 9MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 9.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1440x1080
Video format - H.264
Microphone 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 gr (1.08 pounds) 544 gr (1.20 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 531 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $569 $47,999