• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Pentax KP

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 390 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Pentax KP advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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 viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    27 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    35 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon XS

Pentax KP
Canon XS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP 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

Pentax KP
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP 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

Pentax KP
Nikon D3000
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Nikon D5600

Sony DSLR-A230
Nikon D5600
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP
Nikon D5600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon T7i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Compare Other Cameras?