Sony Alpha 230 vs Sony Alpha 330 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 230
39
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 330
42
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 230 and the Sony Alpha 330 are DSLRs announced on the same day in May 2009, so neither is the newer model. The 230 is the lighter carry at 490 g against 529 g, a 39 g difference, and the 330 is the deeper body at 71 mm against 68 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 18, 2009 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 128 x 97 x 68 mm | 128 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 490 g | 529 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsResolution is the same on both bodies, so neither gives you more room to crop. Each records 10.2 megapixel files from an APS-C CCD sensor with the Bionz processor, and both shoot at 2.5 fps. Standard sensitivity runs from 100 to 3200 ISO on each, covering typical daylight and indoor shooting. Neither body suits fast action work, pairing a 1/4000 second top shutter with a 9-point autofocus system on both. The useful shared feature is sensor-shift stabilisation built into the body, which helps any attached Sony Alpha DT lens, including older unstabilised optics, when you shoot handheld in lower light. Both frame through an optical pentamirror viewfinder. | ||
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. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 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. |
2.5 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 230 nor the Alpha 330 records video, so anyone needing movie clips alongside stills should look at a different camera entirely. Neither body offers a built-in timelapse function either, so interval work would depend on external triggering. | ||
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 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesLive view is the one feature that separates these bodies, and the Alpha 330 has it. You can compose on the rear screen for tripod work or low-angle framing, which the Alpha 230 cannot do. The rear screens are a match, with a 2.7 inch tilting LCD and 230,400 dots on both, which eases reviewing shots after overhead or waist-level work. Beyond live view, the feature set is shared. Both include a pop-up flash and support an external flash. WiFi and Bluetooth are absent from each, and neither offers GPS for geotagging. Neither body is weather sealed, so both deserve care in dusty or wet conditions. | ||
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. |
2304001150001500000 | 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 13/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage and power are the same on both bodies. Both accept SD and SDHC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, useful if you already own either card type, and both have a single card slot. The NP-FH50 battery is shared, rated at 230 shots, a modest figure that makes a spare worth packing for a full day out. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FH50 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
230 shots1505000 | 230 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 330 is the better pick for most buyers, because live view is the one shooting capability that separates these bodies. Composing a still life on the rear screen at tripod height, or shooting from a low angle without lying on the ground, works on the 330 and not on the 230. The cost is modest, at 39 g of extra weight and a body 71 mm deep against 68 mm.
Choose the Sony Alpha 230 instead if you always compose through the viewfinder and want the lighter body. The rest of the specifications match, from the sensor and stabilisation to the battery, cards and lens mount, so the live view question can settle the decision.