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Sony A230 vs Sony RX1

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
57
Overall
64

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 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
  • Released May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced February 2013
Photography Glossary

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Sony A230 versus Sony RX1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and RX1 (Full frame) use different sensor size.

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The A230 was revealed 4 years before the RX1 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the A230 grades against the RX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony RX1

 A230 RX1 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sony A230

 RX1 A230 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013May 2009Newer by 45 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony RX1

 A230 RX1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A230 comes with outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Examine the Sony A230 versus Sony RX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the A230 against the RX1.

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A230 and RX1 is 69 and 79 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and RX1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A230 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony RX1 will give you more detail because of its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A230 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography info
Sony RX1 Portrait photography info
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
MP count low (10MP)
82
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/4,000s)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A230
Street photography with Sony RX1
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
66
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
great ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Sports photography camera
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
53
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (270 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
Sony RX1 Travel photography highlights
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (230 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
62
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
great max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (270 per charge)
heavier than average (482 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A230
Landscape photography with Sony RX1
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (10MP)
low battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
65
focusing manually
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (270 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging features
Sony RX1 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
34
great max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (482g)
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Sony A230 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony RX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Released 2009-05-18 2013-02-19
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Number of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lb) 482 gr (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 93
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 14.3
DXO Low light score 531 2534
Other
Battery life 230 shots 270 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $569 $2,798