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Sony A230 vs Sony W510

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 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
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
Sony W510
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 54 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Sony A230 vs Sony W510 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Sony A230 and Sony W510, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the A230 (10MP) and the W510 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the A230 (APS-C) and W510 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The A230 was released 19 months prior to the W510 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W510 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the A230 matches up against the W510 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony W510

 A230 W510 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W510 over the Sony A230

 W510 A230 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011May 2009More recent by 19 months

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony W510

 A230 W510 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A230 comes with outer dimensions 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 W510 has specifications of 96mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Sony A230 and Sony W510 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A230 against the W510.

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and W510 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and W510.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A230 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Sony W510 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older A230 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony W510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography information
Sony W510 Portrait photography information
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (10MP)
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography information
Sony W510 Street photography information
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
57
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony W510
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (10MP)
low battery power (230 shots)
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography advice
Sony W510 Travel photography advice
45
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low battery power (230 per charge)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
58
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography advice
Sony W510 Landscape photography advice
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (10MP)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
32
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A230
Vlogging with Sony W510
9
can't shoot video
29
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Sony A230 vs Sony W510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony W510
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-05-18 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 2.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lbs) 119 gr (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 96 x 54 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 531 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $569 $99