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Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replaced the Sony RX100
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 III
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Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Sony A230 versus Sony RX100 II, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and RX100 II (1") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A230 was launched 5 years earlier than the RX100 II which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the A230 grades vs the RX100 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony RX100 II

 A230 RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Sony A230

 RX100 II A230 
LaunchedJune 2013May 2009Newer by 50 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony RX100 II

 A230 RX100 II 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony A230 has got exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 II has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Sony A230 versus Sony RX100 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the A230 compared to the RX100 II.

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A230 and RX100 II is 69 and 89 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The picture underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the A230 and RX100 II.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A230 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony RX100 II will render greater detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A230 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX100 II Portrait photography highlights
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
70
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography information
Sony RX100 II Street photography information
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Sports photography camera
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 shots)
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
great battery pack (350 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A230
Travel photography with Sony RX100 II
45
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (230 shots)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
80
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
lighter than others (281 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography information
Sony RX100 II Landscape photography information
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
74
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging info
Sony RX100 II Vlogging info
9
no video
37
rather wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (281 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
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Sony A230 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony RX100 II
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-05-18 2013-06-27
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3872 x 2592 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 gr (1.08 pounds) 281 gr (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 67
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 12.4
DXO Low light rating 531 483
Other
Battery life 230 shots 350 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $569 $598