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Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V 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
  • Earlier Model is Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony HX300
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Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Sony A230 versus Sony HX400V, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and HX400V (20MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and HX400V (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The A230 was launched 5 years earlier than the HX400V which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the A230 matches up versus the HX400V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony HX400V

 A230 HX400V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Sony A230

 HX400V A230 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014May 2009Newer by 57 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony HX400V

 A230 HX400V 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A230 comes with external 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 HX400V has dimensions of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A230 versus Sony HX400V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the A230 against the HX400V.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and HX400V is 69 and 62 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A230 and HX400V.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A230 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX400V will give greater detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged A230 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography features
Sony HX400V Portrait photography features
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
resolution not great (10MP)
51
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography features
Sony HX400V Street photography features
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography details
Sony HX400V Sports photography details
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
55
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A230
Travel photography with Sony HX400V
45
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
resolution not great (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
53
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (660 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
does not have liveview
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
49
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging advice
Sony HX400V Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (660 grams)
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Sony A230 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony HX400V
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-05-18 2014-02-12
Body design Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
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 - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 300 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $569 $448