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Sony W230 vs Sony W690

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

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
  • Released February 2009
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Sony W230 and Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are offered by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the W230 (12MP) and W690 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The W230 was brought out 4 years prior to the W690 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the W230 scores versus the W690 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony W690

 W230 W690 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sony W230

 W690 W230 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months

Common features in the Sony W230 and Sony W690

 W230 W690 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony W230 features external measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Sony W230 and Sony W690 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the W230 and the W690.

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the W230 and W690 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The picture here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the W230 and W690.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony W690 to show extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged W230 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W230 Portrait photography details
Sony W690 Portrait photography details
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony W230 Street photography factors
Sony W690 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony W230 Sports photography features
Sony W690 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
Sony W690 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony W230
Landscape photography with Sony W690
36
you can focus manually
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W230 Vlogging features
Sony W690 Vlogging features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
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Sony W230 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W230 and Sony W690
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-17 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-120mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 156 grams (0.34 pounds) 142 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $180 $297