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Sony a5100 vs Sony W230

Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69
Sony Alpha a5100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
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 a5100 vs Sony W230 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Sony a5100 versus Sony W230, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the a5100 (24MP) and W230 (12MP) and the a5100 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The a5100 was announced 5 years later than the W230 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony a5100 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 highlight of how the a5100 scores vs the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony W230

 a5100 W230 
IntroducedAugust 2014February 2009Fresher by 67 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony a5100

 W230 a5100 

Common features in the Sony a5100 and Sony W230

 a5100 W230 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony a5100 features physical measurements of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Sony a5100 versus Sony W230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the a5100 compared to the W230.

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the a5100 and W230 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the a5100 and W230.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The a5100 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony a5100 will offer you extra detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger a5100 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony a5100
Street photography with Sony W230
82
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony a5100 Sports photography information
Sony W230 Sports photography information
68
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (400 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony a5100 Travel photography factors
Sony W230 Travel photography factors
80
better than average battery life (400 shots)
boasts focus via touch
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony a5100
Landscape photography with Sony W230
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 shots)
no image stabilization
37
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony a5100
Vlogging with Sony W230
34
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Sony a5100 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a5100 and Sony W230
 Sony Alpha a5100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha a5100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-08-17 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 179 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 1s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 283 grams (0.62 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 1347 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $448 $180