First Reviews Sony a230 Entry Level Camera

Sony a230

10.2 Megapixel, SteadySHot INSIDE Image Stabilization, 2.7″ LCD, On-Screen Guide. Kit with DT18-55mm SAM Kit Lens.

Capture your precious moments with improved clarity and reduced blur with the Sony α DSLR-A230L digital SLR camera. Brimming with features, the α A230 combines high-resolution 10.2 MP, simple operation, high sensitivity (ISO 3200), and advanced noise reduction. Plus, Eye-Start Autofocus and pop-up flash help you shoot faster while SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization works with virtually every lens. In addition to the on-screen Help Guide and convenient Creative style settings, the α A230L has a bright 2.7″ LCD and comes with an 18-55mm standard zoom lens.

 

First Look Sony a230          Similar Cameras

SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization 
SteadyShot INSIDE DSLR-A200: more features, less blur. For family photographers who want greater quality and creativity, the Sony α; (alpha) DSLR-A200 combines high-resolution 10.2 MP, simple operation, high sensitivity (ISO 3200), advanced noise reduction and convenient Creative Style settings. SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization works with every lens, including Sony zoom, advanced Sony G-Series, pro-quality Carl Zeiss lens designs and Minolta ±-mount lenses. Stamina power provides up to 750 shots2 on a fully charged InfoLITHIUM battery. Eye-Start Autofocus and pop-up flash help you shoot faster — and a bright 2.7″1 LCD screen displays index and high-resolution thumbnail images. in-camera image stabilization is built directly into the camera body, so every a-mount lens benefits from the ability to minimize blur due to camera shake.

10.2 megapixel resolution for ultra-fine detail 
A 10.2 megapixel APS-size CCD image sensor captures your images in stunning detail, giving you the freedom to make large prints and tight crops without sacrificing quality.

Smallest, lightest α series body 
The α230 features the smallest and lightest body of any Sony α (alpha) series camera for improved portability, as well as an intuitive button layout that allows for easy single-handed operation.

Integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display 
An integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display help take the complexity out of DSLR photography. The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of various modes and settings, while the Graphic Display helps you understand the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.

HDMI terminal with BRAVIA Sync compatibility 
An HDMI terminal gives you the option of connecting your camera to a compatible HDTV and playing back your images in stunning high definition quality (HDMI cable required, sold separately). In addition, BRAVIA Sync works with compatible Sony BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television’s remote (HDMI cable and BRAVIA Sync capable HDTV required, sold separately).

2.7″ (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus display 
Review your images and monitor camera settings on the large 2.7″ (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus display, which provides sharp, clear viewing, even in outdoor environments.

High sensitivity (ISO 3200) for superior noise reduction 
A broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 enables you to capture beautiful color images even in very dim light — High ISO Noise Reduction technology reduces picture noise artifacts at high-sensitivity ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 settings by eliminating noise from RAW data after analog-to-digital conversion.

Eye-Start Autofocus 
Eye-Start Autofocus System begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye, so the camera is ready to catch the perfect moment.

9-Point AF Sensor 
9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor uses with improved focus control to help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, and predictive focus control automatically calculates the position of fast-moving subjects.

Up to 2.5 fps continuous shooting 
Continuous Shooting lets you shoot at up to 2.5 fps (frames per second) while viewing your subject through the optical viewfinder so you never lose track of the action.

Creative Style settings 
Creative Style settings give you control over how the camera processes your images. Choose from 8 finishing styles, including Standard, Vivid, Potrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B&W, and Adobe RGB, and fine tune them to your personal taste with the ability to adjust contrast, saturation, and sharpness settings.

Dynamic Range Optimizer 
Dynamic Range Optimizer provides two levels – Standard/Plus to improve results with backlit subjects and recover details hidden in shadows or lost in glare. Normal DRO improves detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, while Advanced DRO adjusts dynamic range area-by-area for greater accuracy.

Built-in Pop-Up Flash 
The Auto Pop-Up Flash automatically pops up and fires as needed when the camera is set to certain scene selection modes, helping first-time DSLR photographers shoot more effectively. In addition, the α230 features an integrated hot shoe, which lets you expand your lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold separately).

Anti-Dust Technology 
Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CCD imager clean, resulting in consistently better pictures, by utilizing a static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter, as well as an anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to help dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

Stamina Battery power 
Stamina Battery power allows you to take up to 510 shots on a fully charged NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM battery when using the optical viewfinder mode, and you’ll be able to see how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

BIONZ image processor 
The advanced BIONZ image processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, reduced noise, and improved white balance and exposure control, for clear, sharp photos even at high sensitivity settings.

PhotoTV HD compatibility 
PhotoTV HD compatibility3 lets you automatically create high-resolution thumbnails optimized for viewing on a compatible Sony BRAVIA HDTV.

Index and Slide Show Display 
Index and Slide Show Display enable you to quickly review your photos using 4, 9 or 25-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out effect.

Function Guide Display 
Function Guide Display provides intuitive and easy to use on-screen menus that can be activated and operated with one hand using the Fn (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

Dual slot Compatiblity for Memory Stick and SD media 
Compatible with high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC media (sold separately) for convenient storage and sharing of your images.

Included SAL1855 18-55mm standard zoom lens 
The α230 comes with a SAL1855 DT 18-55mm standard zoom kit lens. This newly developed lens employs a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) to deliver smooth and silent autofocus operation, and offers a flexible focal range that allows you to capture everything from wide angle to midrange telephoto shots with ease.

Specifications Sony a230

Dimensions (Approx.)	Approx. 128 x 97 x 67.5 mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
Weight (Approx.)	Approx.452 g (without battery, memory card, accessories)
CONVENIENCE
Anti-dust function	Charge protection coating on low pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism
BRAVIA Sync	Yes, via HDMI with compatible BRAVIA HDTV
Color Mode(s)	Display color (Black, White, Brown, Pink)
Creative Style	Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, B/W Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness
Scene Mode(s)	Scene selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait/Night view)
User Interface	“Easy-to-understand Graphic Display and on-screen Help Guide User-friendly function menu”
VIEWFINDER
Diopter Adjustment	-2.5 – +1.0m-1
Eye relief	Approx. 16.5 mm from the eyepiece / 10.9 mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 diopter
Field of View	95%
Focusing Screen	Spherical Acute Matte Screen
Magnification	0.83x (with 50mm lens at infinity)
Type	Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
POWER
Battery Type	NP-FH50
Number of Shots	Approx. 510 images with viewfinder, approx. 230 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)
GENERAL
Camera Type	Sony α Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and inter-changeable lenses
Color Filter System	RGB primary color filters
Effective Picture Resolution	Approx. 10.2 megapixels
Imaging Sensor	APS-C size CCD sensor (23.6×15.8mm)
Lens Mount Type	Sony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
Pixel Gross	Approx. 10.8 megapixels
Processor	BIONZ image processor
Recording Media Type	Memory Stick PRO Duo media / , SD and SDHC memory card,
Recording Mode	RAW, RAW+JPEG, Fine, Standard
Still Actual 16:9	L size: 3872×2176 (8.4M) M size: 2896×1632 (4.7M) S size: 1920×1088 (2.1M)
Still Actual 3:2	L size: 3872×2592 (10M) M size: 2896×1936 (5.6M) S size: 1920×1280 (2.5M)
LCD DISPLAY
Brightness Control	Selectable in 5 steps
Coverage	100% (Playback)
Type	2.7″ TFT Clear Photo LCD (230,400 pixels)
FLASH
Flash Compensation	±2EV (in 0.3-stop increments)
Flash Coverage	18mm in focal-length of lens attached
Flash Metering System	ADI flash (automatic change for Pre-flash TTL)
Guide Number	10 (in meters at ISO100)
Modes	Auto, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Slow sync, Hi-speed sync*., Wireless
Recycling Time	Approx. 4 sec.
Type	Auto Pop-up
SOFTWARE
Operating System Compatibility	Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP*SP2 Windows Vista Mac OS X(v10.1.3) or later
Supplied Software	PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Image Data Converter SR Image Data Lightbox SR
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Operating Temperature	32 – 104 degrees F (0 – 40 degrees C)
INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
HD Output	HDMI
Memory Card Slot	Dual memory card slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo media SD and SDHC memory card
Tripod Mount	Yes, 1/4″-20
USB Port(s)	USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP)
CONTROL
AF modes	Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, (AF/MF selectable)
Drive Mode	Single-shot, Continuous, Self-timer, Self-timer Continuous, Bracketing, Remote Commander
Exposure Compensation	±2EV (in 0.3 EV steps)
Exposure settings	Auto, Auto Flash Off, Program Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual (M)
Focus Area	Wide (Up to 3 active focus points glow), Spot, Local (9 local areas selectable)
Focus Features	Predictive control, Focus lock, Eye-start AF, AF illuminator (Built-in flash, Range: approx. 1-5m)
Focus Points	9 points
Focus Sensitivity	EV0 – 18 (ISO100)
Focus System	TTL phase detection system
ISO	Auto, 100 to 3200 (in 1 EV steps,Recommended Exposure Index)
Metering	TTL metering w/ 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
Metering Modes	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Metering Sensitivity	EV1 – 20 at ISO100 with F1.4 lens, (EV3 – 20 in spot metering mode)
White Balance	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
SERVICE WARRANTY AND INFORMATION
Limited Warranty Term	1 Year Parts & Labor