• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    22.3 vs 19.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    531 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.55x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    21 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $549 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 67 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 725g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k 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
    18.1 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
    10.0 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

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
Panasonic ZS40
Canon XS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic ZS40
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic ZS40
Nikon D3000
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon SX700 HS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX700 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Sony DSLR-A230
Panasonic ZS60
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS60
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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