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Sony A230 vs Sony W690

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 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
  • Replaced the Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Sony A230 vs Sony W690 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Sony A230 versus Sony W690, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and W690 (16MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and W690 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The A230 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the W690 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A230 grades vs the W690 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony W690

 A230 W690 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sony A230

 W690 A230 
LaunchedFebruary 2012May 2009Fresher by 33 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony W690

 A230 W690 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and size. The Sony A230 enjoys exterior dimensions 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 W690 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Compare the Sony A230 versus Sony W690 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the A230 against the W690.

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A230 and W690 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at technical specs. The visual below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A230 and W690.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A230 having a bigger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Sony W690 will give you extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older A230 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography information
Sony W690 Portrait photography information
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
resolution not great (10MP)
34
good MP (16MP)
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
Sony W690 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony W690
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography information
Sony W690 Travel photography information
45
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
68
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A230
Landscape photography with Sony W690
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging information
Sony W690 Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
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Sony A230 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony W690
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-05-18 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 file format - MPEG-4
Microphone 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 490g (1.08 pounds) 142g (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures 220 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN
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 Single
Pricing at launch $569 $297