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Sony A230 vs YI M1

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony A230 vs YI M1 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
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released September 2016
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Sony A230 vs YI M1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Sony A230 and YI M1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sony and YI. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the A230 (10MP) and M1 (20MP) and the A230 (APS-C) and M1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The A230 was launched 8 years before the M1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the A230 matches up against the M1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the YI M1

 A230 M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony A230

 M1 A230 
ReleasedSeptember 2016May 2009More recent by 89 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A230 and YI M1

 A230 M1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Sony A230 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Sony A230 comes with outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) and the YI M1 has sizing of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

See the Sony A230 and YI M1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the A230 vs the M1.

Sony A230 vs YI M1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A230 and M1 is 69 and 87 respectively.

Sony A230 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A230 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A230 and M1.

To sum up, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The A230 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the YI M1 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The older A230 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A230 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony A230 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A230 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A230
Portrait photography with YI M1
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
75
has manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A230
Street photography with YI M1
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
73
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A230 Sports photography information
YI M1 Sports photography information
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
54
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery (450 shots)
max fps low (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
YI M1 as a Travel photography camera
45
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
78
better than average battery (450 per charge)
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (20MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
YI M1 Landscape photography factors
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (450 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A230
Vlogging with YI M1
9
can't record video
33
has touchscreen
features face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Sony A230 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A230 and YI M1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230YI M1
General Information
Company Sony YI
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 YI M1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-05-18 2016-09-19
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 143 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution None 4096x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lb) 350 gr (0.77 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 photographs 450 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $569 $320