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Sony A230 vs Sony HX80

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced March 2016
Photography Glossary

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Sony A230 vs Sony HX80, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and HX80 (18MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and HX80 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

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The A230 was introduced 7 years earlier than the HX80 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the A230 scores against the HX80 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony HX80

 A230 HX80 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Sony A230

 HX80 A230 
AnnouncedMarch 2016May 2009Newer by 82 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony HX80

 A230 HX80 
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A230 offers exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony HX80 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the A230 versus the HX80.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and HX80 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The picture below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A230 and HX80.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A230 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX80 will deliver extra detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A230 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Portrait photography camera
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
39
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography info
Sony HX80 Street photography info
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245 grams)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography info
Sony HX80 Sports photography info
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery pack (390 shots)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography advice
Sony HX80 Travel photography advice
45
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
76
good battery pack (390 shots)
lighter than others in class (245g)
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A230
Landscape photography with Sony HX80
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
49
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
good battery pack (390 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A230
Vlogging with Sony HX80
9
can't shoot video
75
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (245g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have microphone socket
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Sony A230 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony HX80
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-05-18 2016-03-07
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 grams (1.08 lbs) 245 grams (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 photographs 390 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $569 $368