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Sony A230 vs Sony WX50

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 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
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
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Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Sony A230 vs Sony WX50, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and WX50 (16MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and WX50 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The A230 was announced 3 years earlier than the WX50 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony WX50 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the A230 grades against the WX50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Sony WX50

 A230 WX50 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Sony A230

 WX50 A230 
ReleasedJanuary 2012May 2009Newer by 32 months
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Sony A230 and Sony WX50

 A230 WX50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A230 enjoys exterior dimensions 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 WX50 has sizing of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A230 versus the WX50.

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A230 and WX50 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A230 and WX50.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A230 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony WX50 will render more detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged A230 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX50 Portrait photography highlights
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A230
Sports photography with Sony WX50
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 Travel photography advice
Sony WX50 Travel photography advice
45
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (117g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX50 Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
38
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A230 Vlogging factors
Sony WX50 Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
35
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Sony A230 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and Sony WX50
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-05-18 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.30 m
Flash options 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
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490g (1.08 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 240 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
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 One One
Retail price $569 $250