• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
  • Olympus PEN E-PL5
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A230 E-PL5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $549.00 $599.99
Street Price:   $329.00
Date Available: 2009-06-15 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (725 g)
includes batteries
15.8 oz (448 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.7 in.
(128 x 97 x 68 mm)
4.4 x 2.5 x 1.5 in.
(111 x 64 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.12 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 72
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.3 22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 12.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 531 889
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other),
2896 x 1936 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2896 x 1632 (4.7 MP, Other),
1920 x 1088 (2.1 MP, Other)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.4 8.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p (20 or 17Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (13 or 10Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 35-area multiple AF; All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target (normal), Single target (small)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter Optional VF-2, VF-3 or VF-4 electronic viewfinders
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.83x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 12.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 AUTO: ISO 200 - 25600 (customizable, Default 200-1600) / Manual ISO 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (2), Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D Still (using H-FT012 3D lens only); Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water Color); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key); Multiple Exposure (2 frames)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
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: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wireless Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): DC input, min-HDMI Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB/Remote connector, Accessory Port 2
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.56
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.78 0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.55
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.4 8.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 21 15
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   16
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   14
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.19 seconds 0.22 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 0.100 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.107 seconds 0.064 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus Wide Area AF lag = 0.204s Full AF shutter lag, wide-area AF mode = 0.255s
Startup Time: 0.6 seconds 0.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.2 seconds 4.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 510 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FH50 Proprietary BLS-5
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLS-5 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Olympus Viewer 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: SteadyShot Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization. In-body image stabilization, FAST AF system, tilting touchscreen LCD, 8 fps burst mode, physical mode dial, UHS-I compliant, FlashAir compatible. Available in silver, black or white.