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Sony A350 vs Sony W230

Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A380
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a thorough assessment of the Sony A350 vs Sony W230, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the A350 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the A350 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The A350 was manufactured 8 months before the W230 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A350 scores versus the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Sony W230

 A350 W230 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony A350

 W230 A350 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009June 2008More modern by 8 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A350 and Sony W230

 A350 W230 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Sony A350 features exterior dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Sony A350 vs Sony W230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the A350 compared to the W230.

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A350 and W230 is 62 and 95 respectively.

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A350 and W230.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A350 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony A350 will resolve greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged A350 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A350 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A350 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
66
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
heavier than others (674g)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A350 Sports photography advice
Sony W230 Sports photography advice
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A350 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
51
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (674 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A350 Landscape photography information
Sony W230 Landscape photography information
64
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
missing Time Lapse recording
37
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A350 Vlogging advice
Sony W230 Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Sony A350 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A350 and Sony W230
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2008-06-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range - 4cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 674 grams (1.49 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 595 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $600 $180