Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 is also often compared to mirrorless and super zooms. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A230's top rivals come from Canon (such as the Rebel T3 and the EOS Digital Rebel XS) and Nikon (such as the D3000 and the D3100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A230 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), has a marginally larger sensor (APS-C 23.5x15.7mm vs APS-C 22.2x14.8mm), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 128x97x68 mm vs prosumer size 131x99x71 mm), has more storage slots (2 vs 1) and has a built-in focus motor.

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (531 ISO vs 719 ISO), doesn't record movies (none vs 720p @ 30fps), takes slightly lower resolution photos (10 MP vs 12.2 MP), doesn't let you preview your photos on the screen and slightly fewer lenses available (92 lenses vs 162 lenses).

Canon Rebel T3 1 year newer $333 (body only) $489 - $500 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3 (vs the DSLR-A230) Lower noise at high ISO: 755 ISO vs 531 ISO Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Has live view Significant disadvantages of the T3 (vs the DSLR-A230) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly smaller sensor: APS-C 22.2x14.7mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Significantly larger: Professional size 130x100x78 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm common strengths of the T3 and DSLR-A230 Light weight: 459 g vs 490 g Inexpensive: $333.00 vs $428.95
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS 1 year older $299 - $595 (body only) $437 - $439 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the Rebel XS (vs the DSLR-A230) Has live view Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 92 lenses Has a CMOS-family sensor: CMOS vs CCD Significant disadvantages of the Rebel XS (vs the DSLR-A230) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly smaller screen: 2.5" vs 2.7" Significantly smaller sensor: APS-C 22.2x14.8mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm common strengths of the Rebel XS and DSLR-A230 Fairly small: Prosumer size 126x98x65 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Very thin: 2.6" vs 2.7" Inexpensive: $299.00 vs $428.95
	Compare the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Nikon D3000 similar age $449 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3000 (vs the DSLR-A230) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significantly more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 92 lenses Significant disadvantages of the D3000 (vs the DSLR-A230) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the D3000 and DSLR-A230 Fairly small: Prosumer size 126x97x64 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Very thin: 2.5" vs 2.7" Inexpensive: $449.00 vs $428.95
	Compare the Nikon D3000 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Nikon D3100 1 year newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the DSLR-A230) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 531 ISO Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the DSLR-A230) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the D3100 and DSLR-A230 Fairly small: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Thin: 2.9" vs 2.7" Light weight: 505 g vs 490 g
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 1 year older	Significant advantages of the DSLR-A200 (vs the DSLR-A230) None found Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A200 (vs the DSLR-A230) Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the DSLR-A200 and DSLR-A230 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Fairly small: Prosumer size 131x99x71 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Thin: 2.8" vs 2.7"
	Compare the DSLR-A200 vs the DSLR-A230
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 1 year newer	Significant advantages of the DSLR-A290 (vs the DSLR-A230) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significantly higher true resolution: 14 MP vs 10 MP Significant disadvantages of the DSLR-A290 (vs the DSLR-A230) Significantly larger: Professional size 128x97x86 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Much thicker: 3.4" vs 2.7" common strengths of the DSLR-A290 and DSLR-A230 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Multiple storage slots: 2 vs 2
	Compare the DSLR-A290 vs the DSLR-A230

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A230 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a viewfinder (pentamirror vs none), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), much more lenses available (92 lenses vs 8 lenses), has more storage slots (2 vs 1) and has a faster max shutter speed (1/4000 of a second vs 1/2000 of a second).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (531 ISO vs 830 ISO), doesn't record movies (none vs 720p @ 30fps), has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (10 MP vs 16 MP).

Sony Alpha NEX-3 1 year newer $689 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-3 (vs the DSLR-A230) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Shoots movies: 720p @ 30fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the NEX-3 (vs the DSLR-A230) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 92 lenses No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift common strengths of the NEX-3 and DSLR-A230 Good color depth: 22.1 bits vs 22.3 bits Multiple storage slots: 2 vs 2
	Compare the NEX-3 vs the DSLR-A230
Olympus PEN E-PL1 8 months newer $260 - $279 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 720p @ 30fps vs None Has live view Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the DSLR-A230) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror Much fewer lenses available: 26 lenses vs 92 lenses Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the PEN E-PL1 and DSLR-A230 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Inexpensive: $259.99 vs $428.95 Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Sony NEX C3 2 years newer $548 16mm lens	Significant advantages of the C3 (vs the DSLR-A230) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,083 ISO vs 531 ISO Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the C3 (vs the DSLR-A230) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 92 lenses No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift common strengths of the C3 and DSLR-A230 Good color depth: 22.7 bits vs 22.3 bits Inexpensive: $548.00 vs $428.95
	Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha DSLR-A230

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony DSLR-A230 compared to super zoom competitors include: it is slightly smaller (prosumer size 128x97x68 mm vs professional size 123x92x108 mm), takes slightly higher resolution photos (10 MP vs 9.7 MP), has a much larger sensor (APS-C 23.5x15.7mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm), is thinner (2.7" vs 5") and is slightly lighter (490 g vs 600 g).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 24fps), has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO) and doesn't shoot as fast continuously (2.5 fps vs 10 fps).

Nikon Coolpix P510 2 years newer $397 - $400	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much higher resolution screen: 921k dots vs 230k dots Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the DSLR-A230) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 Built-in lens only common strengths of the P510 and DSLR-A230 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Nikon Coolpix P510 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Nikon Coolpix P500 1 year newer $300	Significant advantages of the P500 (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the P500 (vs the DSLR-A230) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 Built-in lens only common strengths of the P500 and DSLR-A230 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Nikon Coolpix P500 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 similar age $355	Significant advantages of the DSC-HX1 (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 1440 x 1080 @ 30fps vs None Has a flip-out screen Significantly larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significant disadvantages of the DSC-HX1 (vs the DSLR-A230) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.7" 5.6x4.2mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Much lower true resolution: 8.1 MP vs 10 MP Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the DSC-HX1 and DSLR-A230 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror Very fast max shutter speeds: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Long exposures: 30 seconds vs 30 seconds
	Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 vs the Alpha DSLR-A230
Canon Powershot SX40 2 years newer $347 - $380	Significant advantages of the SX40 (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None Has a flip-out screen Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the SX40 (vs the DSLR-A230) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 Significantly larger: Professional size 123x92x108 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm common strengths of the SX40 and DSLR-A230 Support external flash Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror Fast max shutter speeds: 1/3200 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second
	Compare the Canon Powershot SX40 vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 1 year newer $299 - $335	Significant advantages of the HS20 (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Has a flip-out screen Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Significant disadvantages of the HS20 (vs the DSLR-A230) Much smaller sensor: 1/2" 6.4x4.8mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Much larger: Large 130x90x126 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the HS20 and DSLR-A230 RAW support Support external flash Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR 2 years newer $438 - $500	Significant advantages of the HS30 EXR (vs the DSLR-A230) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Has a flip-out screen Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the HS30 EXR (vs the DSLR-A230) Much smaller sensor: 1/2" 6.4x4.8mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.7mm Much larger: Large 131x97x126 mm vs Prosumer size 128x97x68 mm Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the HS30 EXR and DSLR-A230 RAW support Support external flash Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR vs the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230