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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released June 2010
  • New Model is Sony NEX-C3
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the NEX-3 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-3 was introduced 16 months after the W230 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the NEX-3 grades versus the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony W230

 NEX-3 W230 
IntroducedJune 2010February 2009Newer by 16 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony NEX-3

 W230 NEX-3 

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony W230

 NEX-3 W230 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3 provides external measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the NEX-3 vs the W230.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-3 and W230 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3 and W230.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-3 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Sony NEX-3 will give you more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent NEX-3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography features
Sony W230 Portrait photography features
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Sports photography factors
Sony W230 Sports photography factors
52
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Travel photography factors
Sony W230 Travel photography factors
59
good megapixels (14MP)
no Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
Landscape photography with Sony W230
68
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
no Timelapse function
36
you can focus manually
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
27
offers face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony W230
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-06-07 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 1s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 297g (0.65 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 830 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $180