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Sony W230

 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
 
  • 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sony W230 summary

Sony W230 is Sony's Small Sensor Compact camera originally released on February of 2009. It uses a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a full resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The W230 is ranked #185 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and over all #1120 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. Please check our Advanced camera search to get camera ratings based on your custom criteria.

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Here is a chart of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Sony W230 family

The Sony W230 is part of a family of cameras. You can view the detailed list below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX500 front thumbnailSony WX500
W230 vs WX500
24-720mm
F3.5-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2015
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX350 front thumbnailSony WX350
W230 vs WX350
25-500mm
F3.5-6.5
18MP1/2.3"2014
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W800 front thumbnailSony W800
W230 vs W800
26-130mm
F3.2-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX300 front thumbnailSony WX300
W230 vs WX300
25-500mm
F3.5-6.5
18MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W730 front thumbnailSony W730
W230 vs W730
25-224mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W710 front thumbnailSony W710
W230 vs W710
28-140mm
F3.2-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX80 front thumbnailSony WX80
W230 vs WX80
28-224mm
F3.3-8.0
16MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX150 front thumbnailSony WX150
W230 vs WX150
25-250mm
F3.3-5.9
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W690 front thumbnailSony W690
W230 vs W690
25-250mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX70 front thumbnailSony WX70
W230 vs WX70
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX50 front thumbnailSony WX50
W230 vs WX50
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W610 front thumbnailSony W610
W230 vs W610
26-105mm
F2.8-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W620 front thumbnailSony W620
W230 vs W620
28-140mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W650 front thumbnailSony W650
W230 vs W650
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX30 front thumbnailSony WX30
W230 vs WX30
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX10 front thumbnailSony WX10
W230 vs WX10
24-168mm
F2.4-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX5 front thumbnailSony WX5
W230 vs WX5
24-120mm
F2.4-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W370 front thumbnailSony W370
W230 vs W370
34-238mm
F3.6-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W290 front thumbnailSony W290
W230 vs W290
28-140mm
F3.3-5.2
12MP1/2.3"2009
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230 front thumbnailSony W23030-120mm
F2.8-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W220 front thumbnailSony W220
W230 vs W220
30-120mm
F2.8-7.1
12MP1/2.3"2009

Sony W230 Pros and Cons

Here is a checklist of positives and negatives of the Sony W230 based on criterias that are typically regarded as necessary in a camera.

built in image stabilization (Optical)
built in lens has zoom (30-120mm 4.0 x zoom)
focusing manually
good minimum ISO (80)
has built in flash
includes HDMI support
screen size is good (3")
cannot use external flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
fixed screen
lack of shutter priority mode
lacks phase detect auto focus
lacks RAW format
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no aperture priority
no headphone jack
no manual control
no microphone jack
no Timelapse mode
pixelated screen (230 thousand dot)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sluggish at long end (f5.8)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
Photography Glossary

Sony W230 Sensor information

The size of the sensor in the Sony W230 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to capture 4000 x 3000 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera includes Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is better than digital stabilization as the latter may produce cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 12MP and supports a native ISO range of 80 - 3200. Sadly, RAW files are not saved so the user has less room to maneuver in post.

The graphic below illustrates the W230's sensor size when compared to other common sizes. The W230 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 sensor size Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

To get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sony W230 dimensions

Sony W230 weighs about 0.34 pounds (156g / 5.50 oz) and features outer size of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9"). The weight of average Small Sensor Compact camera is 174g so the Sony W230 is less heavy compared to other competitors.

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Listed below is a pic of the Sony W230 with a soda to help you have a sense of its size.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 dimensions scale

The top view here will show you the button arrangement on the W230.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 topview buttons dials

Sony W230 Lens information

The W230 comes with a fixed lens giving a focal range of 30-120mm making it a 4.0 x zoom which is not very good nevertheless it may be helpful in certain conditions.

At it's widest 30mm, the lens offers an aperture of f2.8 making it quite sluggish and not great in low light events and you may struggle to capture good bokeh. You will also need to raise your ISO giving you noisy pictures. At the long end, 120mm comes at f5.8 which is pretty slow and you will have to use slow shutter speeds.

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Sony W230 Connectivity

The W230 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Digital cameras that have NFC or Bluetooth support are able to be used wirelessly with smartphones. You can easily copy pictures and in some cases adjust settings without the hassle of connecting physically with the camera.

Many apps also stream a Liveview and release the shutter in case you are not near the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI out, it can easily be hooked up to an external screen. A lot of cameras will allow you to recharge the battery pack through the USB socket.

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Sony W230 Video information

The highest possible video resolution in the Sony W230 is 640 x 480 and it can save in Motion JPEG format. 480p is low by today's standards. You should really shoot for at least FUll HD resolution for good video. The body does not offer a mic or headphone port so you have got zero control over your sound. It is perhaps a better idea to take a look at another camera if you need better sound in your video clips.

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Sony W230 Weather Sealing

Sony W230 does not have environment sealing so damp conditions can easily ruin the camera.

Sony W230 Display and Viewfinder

The Sony W230 houses a 3 inch fixed display screen with a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

Sadly the display screen is not a touch screen.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 screen and viewfinder Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The View Finder specs regarding Sony W230 are below:

  • ViewFinder None

In those bright outdoor situations that make the camera displays washed out and challenging to view, viewfinders can be quite helpful.

Sony W230 Shutter information

Sony W230 continuous shooting speed is 2.0 frames per second. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1600s.

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Sony W230 Flash and Hot shoe information

Sony W230 includes just integrated flash with no external flash support.

Sony W230 Autofocus information

Sony W230 includes only Contrast Based Autofocus and doesn't have Phase Detect Autofocus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot quicker & precise compared to Contrast Based focusing.

It boasts 9 focus points to choose from. Sony W230 comes with manual focusing if required during low light conditions or you need to have more precise control on focusing.

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Sony W230 Battery life

The average Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 features the best (470) battery life within this category of cameras.

Listed below is a collection of Small Sensor Compact cameras that have the best battery life:

Sony W230 for specific kinds of photography

The following bar chart indicates a rundown of the Sony W230 for specific kinds of photography. To find out more, check out the specific section below.

Sony W230 Portrait photography advice

The Sony W230 has a points tally of 27 which is low, and means the camera is not suitable to use for portrait photography. Photographing portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor specs, support for RAW photos plus the flexibility to utilize external lighting.

Photography Glossary
manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format

Sony W230 as a Street photography camera

Getting a moderate points total of 56, the Sony W230 is fairly suited for street photography. A good street photography camera features a good balance of image quality and portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files

Sony W230 Sports photography highlights

A low sports photography rating of 25 indicates the Sony W230 is not suitable for taking pictures of sports. A camera really should have excellent focusing plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus

Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera

Portability is pretty crucial when getting a camera for travel. On the whole, the Sony W230 gets a reasonable 51 as a travel camera which is relatively suitable to purchase for your vacations.

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built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)

Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera

For anyone who is planning to purchase a camera for landscape pictures, the most vital aspect is going to be image quality. The Sony W230 and it's low rating of 36 as a landscape camera is not suitable within the current market.

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you can focus manually
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode

Sony W230 Vlogging info

A camera for vlogging preferably should have a moving display, microphone port and if possible IBIS. Considering every thing, the Sony W230 is not suitable as a vlog camera as it receives a low rating of 25.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone port

Sony W230 Alternatives

If you want replacements to the W230, here is a range of the highest placed cameras that fall into the category of Small Sensor Compact.

The line chart just below gives you a summary of the W230 compared to it's top ranking competitors suggested earlier.

There are more cameras you may have a look at as alternate options. To go through a detailed comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Company
Sony
Model type
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class
Small Sensor Compact
Announced
2009-02-17
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW format
Maximum native ISO
3200
Lowest native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture
f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance
4cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Range of display
Fixed Type
Display sizing
3"
Resolution of display
230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Minimum shutter speed
1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed
1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed
2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance
3.90 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions
640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution
640x480
Video format
Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
156g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions
95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
Other
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media
Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots
One
Pricing at release
$180