Sony a230 vs Nikon D3200

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a230 and Nikon D3200. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a230 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3200 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a230 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a230 has a 10 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3200 has 24,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D3200 has a 140 % larger resolution than Sony a230. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3200 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a230. Nikon D3200 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Sony a230 has 100 to 3200.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a230 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a230
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3200

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a230 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3200. Sadly, the Sony a230 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3200 weighs 505 gr (equal to 1.11 lb) which is 3% heavier than Sony a230 and its 490 gr (or 1.08 lb).

Sony a230 vs Nikon D3200 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a230 and Nikon D3200, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Name	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Manufacturer	Sony	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Release Year	2009	2012
Release Date	2009-05-18	2012-04-19
MSRP	549 USD	699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	CCD	CMOS
Resolution	3872 x 2592 pixels	6016 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels	10 MP	24,2 MP
Image Processor	Bionz	EXPEED 3
Image	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
ISO Range	100 - 3200	100 - 6400
White Balance Presets	6	12
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor-Shift)	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Autofocus Motor	Yes	No
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	9	11
Lens Mount	Sony A See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm	DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	2.7”	3”
Screen dots	230400	921000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	N/A	TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle
Live view	No	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Frames per second	2,5 fps	4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	10 meters	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Video recording	No	Yes
Video format	N/A	MPEG4 H.264
Video resolution	N/A	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	No	Yes
Built-in Speakers	No	Yes
Storage	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Memory Card	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
HDMI Output	No	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	Yes Optional with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter
Remote Control		Optional
GPS	No	Yes Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions	Sony a230	Nikon D3200
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	230 shots	540 shots
Width	128 mm	125 mm
Height	97 mm	96 mm
Depth	68 mm	77 mm
Weight	490 gram	505 gram