Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon L830

Cameras
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Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon L830

APS-C 369.7mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A230 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A230.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.1 megapixels
23.00mm - 765.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon L830 Review.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Nikon L830

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 6.12 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Thinner
67 mm vs 91 mm
Thinner
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
30 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
21 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon L830 advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

Less expensive
$300 vs $549 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

680 vs 510 shots
Capture more photos
Lighter weight
508g vs 725g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
16.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 2.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A230

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Buy the Nikon L830

Nikon L830

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A230 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon L830.
Read our Nikon L830 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon XS

Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$440
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon XS

Nikon L830

Canon XS

$400
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$440
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L830 vs Canon XS

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230

Sony DSLR-A330

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
More viewfinder magnification

$530
APS-C

Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon L830

Sony DSLR-A330

$400
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$530
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L830 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon D3000

Nikon L830

Nikon D3000

$400
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L830 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Samsung WB2100

Sony DSLR-A230

Samsung WB2100

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$450
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Samsung WB2100

Nikon L830

Samsung WB2100

$400
1/2.3 inch

HDMI out
Shoots 1080p video

$450
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Manual focus

Compare Nikon L830 vs Samsung WB2100

Compared to Nikon L840

Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon L840

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$300
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon L840

Nikon L830

Nikon L840

$400
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoots 60p video

$300
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon L830 vs Nikon L840

Compare Other Cameras?