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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5N
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
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Sony NEX-5 and Sony W230, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the NEX-5 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The NEX-5 was released 16 months after the W230 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the NEX-5 grades versus the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony W230

 NEX-5 W230 
IntroducedJune 2010February 2009More modern by 16 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony NEX-5

 W230 NEX-5 

Common features in the Sony NEX-5 and Sony W230

 NEX-5 W230 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5 features external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 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).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-5 and Sony W230 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the NEX-5 against the W230.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5 and W230 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-5 and W230.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony NEX-5 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer NEX-5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography info
Sony W230 Portrait photography info
72
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
76
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Sports photography features
Sony W230 Sports photography features
52
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
59
decent MP (14MP)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography advice
Sony W230 Landscape photography advice
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
36
manual focus
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external mic port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5 and Sony W230
 Sony Alpha NEX-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-06-07 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range - 4cm
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 287 grams (0.63 pounds) 156 grams (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 796 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $599 $180