Sony DSC-W230 vs Sony DSLR-A500 Specifications

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
30.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony DSC-W230 Review.

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A500 Review.

Detailed specifications
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:
Successor:
General
Model Number:	DSC-W230	DSLR-A500
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	Ultra Compact	SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$199.00	$849.99
Street Price:
Date Available:	2009-04-01	2009-10-08
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	4.5 oz (127 g)	31.7 oz (900 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9 in. (95 x 57 x 22 mm)	5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in. (137 x 104 x 84 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CCD	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony Super HAD	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	12.1	12.3
Sensor Format:	1/2.3 inch	APS-C
Sensor size:	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	1.54 microns	5.55 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	n/a	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	4:3, 3:2	3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:		Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:		64
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):		21.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):		11.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):		772
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3), 4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2), 4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9), 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3), 2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3), 2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)	4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2), 4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9), 3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2), 3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9), 2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2), 2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
Image File Format:	JPEG	JPEG, RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second:	1.7	4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	No
Movie Resolution:	640x480 (30/16.6) 320x240 (8.3)
Movie File Format:	MPEG1
Composite Video Out:	Yes	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:		n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	Component	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	n/a	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, : 6 elements in 5 groups (including 3 asph,)	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	30 - 120mm	27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):	5.4 - 21.4mm	18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:	4.00x	3.00x
Aperture Range:	f/2.8/7.1 (W) - f/5.8/? (T)	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	4 cm to Infinity 1.6 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:	4 cm to Infinity 1.6 in to Infinity
Filter Thread:	n/a	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom Values:	2x Precision, up to 22x Smart Zoom	n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Contrast Detection; 9-area	9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	LCD	Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:		SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):		0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):		0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	No	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	230,000 dots	230,400 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No
Selfie Screen:	No
Max Playback Zoom:	8.0x	13.4x
Top Deck Display:		No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):		12800
Minimum ISO (native):		200
ISO Settings:	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 1600, 3200	Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1/2/3, Incandescent, Flash WB	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range:	1/1600 - 1 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	No	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot	40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	No	Yes
Shutter Priority:	No	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	No	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Easy, Smile, Softsnap, Landscape, Twilight portrait, High Sensitivity, Twilight, Snow, Beach, Fire works, Sports, Underwater, Gourmet	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer:	10 or 2 seconds	2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	Auto, On, Slow Synch, Off	Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	n/a	12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description:	ISO Auto: 0.2m - 3.9m(W), 0.5m - 1.9m(T)	Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:		1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:		+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	n/a	Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:		Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	MS Duo / MS PRO Duo	MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	No	Yes
Uncompressed Format:		RAW
Movie File Format:	MPEG1
Included Memory:	15.0 MB
Included Memory Type:	Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	No	Yes
Remote Control Type:		Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended):		DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):		0.48
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):		0.47
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):		9
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?		No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	1.7	4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	100	5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):		0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):		0.182 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):		0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):		0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):		Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s
Startup Time:		0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:		0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:		3.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):		1000 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary Info LITHIUM	Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:	Sony CD-ROM	Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS	Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, Smile Shutter, Intelligent Scene Recognition, Dynamic Range Optimizer, In-camera Retouching, HD Slide Show with music. Available in silver, black, red and blue.	Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output.