• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 5.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    796 vs 531 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 67 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.7 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon XS

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon XS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony NEX-5
Canon XS
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony NEX-5
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230
Nikon D3000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony DSLR-A230
Samsung NX100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony DSLR-A230
Sony NEX-C3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
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