Sony Alpha 200 vs Sony Alpha 230 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 200
40
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 230
39
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 200 and the Sony Alpha 230 are both APS-C DSLRs built around the same Sony Alpha DT lens mount, released in 2008 and 2009 respectively. That shared mount means every Alpha DT lens fits either body, so existing glass or a future lens collection transfers cleanly between them. The Alpha 230 is the smaller and lighter body at 490 g and 128 x 97 x 68 mm, against 572 g and 131 x 99 x 71 mm for the Alpha 200, a saving of 82 g. Those figures favour it for a travel kit or a camera that stays packed in a bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 7, 2008 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 99 x 71 mm | 128 x 97 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 572 g | 490 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 200 has a modest edge for action shooting, with a 3 fps continuous rate against 2.5 fps on the Alpha 230. That extra speed helps when photographing a running child or a bird taking off, where the frame between bursts can be the one you keep. Both pair a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with the same Bionz processor, so neither offers more cropping room or larger prints. They share nine autofocus points, a 1/4000 second top shutter speed and an optical pentamirror viewfinder. Both also have in-body stabilisation, so any DT lens you mount gains steadier handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 2.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither the Alpha 200 nor the Alpha 230 records video, and neither offers built-in timelapse. Anyone who wants occasional movie clips alongside photographs needs to look beyond this pair. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras carry a built-in flash plus a hot shoe for an external unit, which matters for bounce lighting at indoor events. They also share a 2.7 inch LCD with a flip screen that eases waist-level and overhead framing. The screens differ only in dot count, with 230400 dots on the Alpha 230 against 230000 on the Alpha 200. GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, live view and weather sealing are absent on both, so geotagging and wireless transfer are unavailable on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 200 is the stronger choice for long shooting days, rated at 750 shots on its NP-FM500H battery against 230 shots for the Alpha 230's NP-FH50. That rating suits a full-day event or a long holiday where charging opportunities are limited. Storage formats split the other way. The Alpha 200 uses Compact Flash cards, while the Alpha 230 accepts SD and SDHC alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, which makes the newer body easier to share cards with a modern laptop or a second camera. Neither offers dual card slots or USB charging, so a spare battery and an external charger are part of either kit. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
750 shots1505000 | 230 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 200 is the better pick if you photograph events, wildlife or anything that fills a memory card in one session. Its 750-shot battery rating, 3 fps burst and the shared stabilised DT lens system cover a full day of city walking or a sports practice.
The Sony Alpha 230 suits a lighter travel kit and an SD-card workflow. It accepts the SD and SDHC cards common in modern cameras and laptops, and offers the same resolution, ISO range and in-body stabilisation in a smaller, lighter body.