Alpha DSLR-A230

Released June 2009

The Alpha A230 is a compact 10.2 MP A-mount DSLR with an optical viewfinder, sensor-shift stabilisation and a fixed rear screen.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 10.2
Lens: Sony A-mount
Video: –
Body weight: 450 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews found useful image quality and effective stabilisation. Photography Blog criticised the uncomfortable grip and cumbersome controls, while ePHOTOzine liked the beginner guide and found noise well controlled in its group test. Photography Blog was less satisfied with high-ISO noise. Both noted the missing live view.

From photographyblog.com and ephotozine.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: CCD
Sensor dimensions: 23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution: 10.2 MP
Largest image: 3872 × 2592
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–3200
Sensor detail: Approximately 10.8 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formats: JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony A-mount
Stabilisation: Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 2.5 fps
Lens detail: Compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount lenses; lens specifications depend on the fitted lens
Autofocus: TTL phase-detection with nine points, including central cross sensor; single, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and Eye-start AF
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detail: Maximum approximately 2.5 fps; up to six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames, depending on recording media and conditions
Stabilisation detail: SteadyShot INSIDE shifts the image sensor
Flash: Automatic pop-up flash; guide number 10 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; Alpha-system external flash support
Exposure controls: Program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; automatic and six scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb metering

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2.7″
Screen dots: 230,400
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed TFT Clear Photo LCD; manual brightness adjustment
Viewfinder detail: Pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1m⁻¹

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 510 photographs
Body weight: 450 g
Release detail: Sony Japan announced the body and lens kits on 18 May 2009 for 25 June sale; Imaging Resource reports US shipping began in June 2009, so the catalogue retains month precision.
Recording media: SD, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C and Alpha accessory shoe
Battery life detail: NP-FH50; approximately 510 shots under CIPA conditions; maker's launch table uses flash for 50% of shots
Charging: Supplied BC-VH1 battery charger; optional AC-PW10AM adapter
Dimensions: Approximately 128 × 97 × 67.5 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections
Weight detail: Approximately 450 g body only, excluding battery, recording media and accessories
Colours: Black

Video

Video detail: No movie recording; HDMI supports still-image playback

Pros and cons

Pros

Sensor-shift stabilisation with compatible A-mount lenses
RAW recording and optical viewfinder
SD and Memory Stick card support

Cons

No live view or movie recording
Fixed rear screen
Slow continuous shooting

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
NikonD300S	DSLR	APS-C	12.3	Nikon F mount	1280 × 720 at 24 fps	840 g	Aug 2009
NikonD5000	DSLR	APS-C	12.3	Nikon F mount	1280 × 720 at 24 fps	560 g	May 2009
NikonD3100	DSLR	APS-C	14.2	Nikon F mount	1920 × 1080 at 24 fps	455 g	Sept 2010

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony DSLR-A230 front product view with DT 18-55mm SAM kit lens.: sony.jp/products/picture/DSLR-A230_002.jpg
Sony DSLR-A230 rear LCD and controls view.: sony.jp/products/picture/DSLR-A230_001.jpg

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