Sony W230 vs Sony A55

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Sony W230 vs Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are sold by Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the W230 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the W230 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The W230 was unveiled 18 months earlier than the A55 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony W230 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the W230 matches up versus the A55 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 and Sony SLT-A55. The full galleries are viewable at Sony W230 Gallery and Sony A55 Gallery.

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony W230 provides outer measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Sony W230 vs Sony A55 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the W230 vs the A55.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the W230 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Usually, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out specifications. The picture below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the W230 and A55.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The W230 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A55 will produce greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged W230 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.