The Sony A230 is a 10.2-megapixel DSLR that is geared toward entry-level shooters. The Sony A230 replaces the Sony A200, which was virtually identical in specifications to the A230. As a result, the A230 is more of a refreshed version of the A200 rather than an all new model. Unlike the A200 though, the Sony A230 kit lens is an 18-55mm lens rather than the 18-70mm range provided by the A200’s kit lens.
The key difference between the Sony A230 and A330 is the lack of Live View and an articulating LCD. Other than that (and those are kind of big differences in my book), the A230 is essentially the same camera.
Sony A230 Key Features
- 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor (1.5x crop)
- 2.7? LCD
- SteadyShot sensor-based image stabilization
- 9-point AF
- ISO 100-3200 sensitivity
- 2.5 fps shooting speed
- HDMI output
- Dual slot SD Card and Memory Stick compatibility
Sony A230 Availability
The Sony A230 can be found at the following trusted online retailers:
Sony A230 Reviews
All-in-all, Sony’s a230 is a highly accessible DSLR that is likely to get entry-level users really excited about their photography and at the end of the day, that is the most important thing.
It is very basic, and naturally it lacks many of the in bells and whistles such as HD video and live view found on more expensive models, but nonetheless it is a nice easy-to-use camera that is more than capable of taking excellent pictures.
If you do actually like this camera’s design (definitely try before you buy), then the A330’s excellent Live View system and tilting LCD screen are well worth the slight price premium, despite the slightly reduced optical viewfinder coverage.
For an entry level model, the Sony Alpha A230 looks pretty good and performs well.
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 is a solid entry-level dSLR that will surely have its fans, and it’s a better deal than its slightly higher-end sibling, the A330.
Describing the Sony Alpha A230 and its siblings comes down to a relatively short list of what’s new: a smaller, simpler body design, a new kit lens, a few tweaks to the menus and display screens, a new Self-timer mode, and a few other feature tweaks, plus some new accessories pretty well sums it up.
Sony A230 Full Specifications
Camera type
Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses
Lens compatibility
Sony lenses, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses
Image Sensor
Sensor type: APS-C type (23.6 x 15.8 mm) with RGB primary color filters
Effective pixels: Approx. 10.2 megapixels
Total pixels: Approx. 10.8 megapixels
Anti-Dust system: Charge protection coating on low pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism
Recording
Recording format: JPEG (DCF2.0 and Exif 2.21, MPF Baseline compliant), DPOF compatible, RAW (Sony ARW 2.1 format), RAW + JPEG
Image size:
L size: 3872 x 2592 (10M), M size: 2896 x 1936 (5.6M), S size: 1920 x 1280 (2.5M)
L size: 3872 x 2176 (8.4M), M size: 2896 x 1632 (4.7M), S size: 1920x 1088 (2.1M)
Image quality modes: RAW, RAW + JPEG, Fine, Standard
Media: Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX / SD memory card / SDHC memory card
Noise reduction:
Long exposure NR: On/Off selectable, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec.
High ISO NR: On/Off selectable, available at ISO 1600 or higher
Color space: sRGB, Adobe RGB
Features:
Creative Style (Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, B/W)
Contrast (–3 to +3 steps), Saturation (–3 to +3 steps), Sharpness (–3 to +3 steps)
D-Range Optimizer (Off, Standard, Advanced)
White Balance
Modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Focus Control
Type: TTL phase detection system
Sensor: CCD line sensors
No. of focus point: 9 points
Sensitivity range: EV 0 – 18 (ISO 100)
Modes: AF/MF selectable. AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF
Focus area: Wide (up to 3 active focus points glow in viewfinder mode), Spot, Local (9 local areas selectable)
Features: Predictive control, Focus lock, Eye-start AF, AF illuminator (Built-in flash, Range: approx. 1 – 5 m)
Exposure Control
Metering:
Type: TTL metering
Sensor: 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
EV 1 – 20 (EV 3 – 20 in spot metering mode) (at ISO 100 with F1.4 lens)
Modes: Multi segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure:
Modes: Program AE (AUTO, AUTO – Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait / Night view)
Exposure compensation: +/-2 EV (in 0.3 EV steps)
Bracketing: 3 continuous exposures, in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
ISO sensitivity range: AUTO, 100 to 3200 (in 1 EV steps, Recommended Exposure Index)
Viewfinder
Type: Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
Coverage: 95%
Magnification: 0.83x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1 )
Diopter adjustment: -2.5 to +1.0 m-1
Eye point: Approx. 16.5 mm from the eyepiece lens, 10.9 mm from the eyepiece frame (CIPA standard)
Screen: Spherical Acute Matte
LCD Monitor
Type: 2.7-inch type, TFT (Clear Photo LCD)
Total number of dots: 230,400 dots
Brightness adjustment: Manual setting in 5 steps
Shutter
Type: Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Speed range: 1/4000 to 30 sec., Bulb
Flash sync speed: 1/160 sec.
SteadyShot® INSIDE (Image Stabilization)
Type: Image-sensor shift mechanism
Indication: SteadyShot scale and camera-shake warning (indicated on LCD monitor in live view mode)
Compensation effect: Equivalent to approx. 2.5 to 3.5 steps in shutter speeds (varies according to shooting conditions and lens used)
Built-in Flash
Pop up: Auto
Guide number: 10 (in meters at ISO 100)
Flash coverage: 18 mm (focal length printed on the lens body)
Control: ADI, Pre-flash TTL (automatic switching)
Flash compensation: +/- 2 EV (in 0.3 EV steps)
Modes: Auto (Flash-off), Auto, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Slow sync, High speed sync*, Wireless*
* With External Flash HVL-F58AM, HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM
Recycling time: Approx. 4 sec.
Drive
Modes: Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10 / 2 sec. delay selectable), Self-timer (single & cont.) , Remote Control* * With optional Remote Commander RMT-DSLR1
Continuous shooting speed: Max. 2.5 fps (approx.)
No. of frames recordable: JPEG (L size, Fine): Until memory card is full, RAW: 6 frames, RAW+JPEG: 3 frames
Playback
Modes:
Single (with or without shooting information, Brightness / RGB histogram & highlight / shadow warning), 4 / 9 / 25-frame index view,
Enlarged display mode (max. zoom – L size: 12x, M size: 9.1x, S size: 6.1x), Image orientation, Slideshow
Interface
PC interface: USB2.0 Hi-Speed (mass storage, PTP)
HDMI output: HDMI mini connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync Menu) and PhotoTV HD supported
Supported OS Environment
Windows: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 / Windows XP* SP3 / Windows Vista** SP1 * 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) not supported. ** Starter (Edition) not supported.
Macintosh: Mac OS X (v10.1.3) or later
Compatible standards: Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, PictBridge
Power
Power source: One Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FH50 * NP-FH30, NP-FH40, NP-FM500H, NP-FM55H are not usable.
Battery performance: Approx. 510 shots * Measured using CIPA standard
External power source: AC Adapter / Charger AC-PW10AM (optional)
Others
Dimension (WxHxD): Approx. 128 x 97 x 67.5 mm (5-1/8 × 3-7/8 × 2-3/4 in.) (excl. protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 450 g (15.9 oz) (w/o battery, memory card, accessories)
Operating temperature: 0 – 40 °C (32 – 104 °F)
