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Sony A230 vs Sony W550

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Sony A230 vs Sony W550 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Sony A230 and Sony W550, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact and both are manufactured by Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and W550 (14MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The A230 was manufactured 3 years before the W550 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A230 grades versus the W550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony W550

 A230 W550 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony A230

 W550 A230 
ReleasedJuly 2011May 2009Newer by 26 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony W550

 A230 W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A230 provides physical measurements 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 W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Sony A230 and Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the A230 vs the W550.

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A230 and W550 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The picture underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A230 and W550.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A230 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony W550 will provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged A230 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A230
Portrait photography with Sony W550
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (10 megapixels)
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 Street photography advice
Sony W550 Street photography advice
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography info
Sony W550 Sports photography info
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (230 shots)
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A230
Travel photography with Sony W550
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
MP count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography features
Sony W550 Landscape photography features
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
42
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging features
Sony W550 Vlogging features
9
no video
29
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Sony A230 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony W550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2009-05-18 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 gr (1.08 lbs) 110 gr (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single -
Retail pricing $569 $119