Sony a230 vs Sony a3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a230 and Sony a3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a230 were released 2009 and Sony a3500 was released 2014. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a230 2009
Sony a3500 2014

Type of camera

Sony a230 is a DSLR camera while Sony a3500 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a230 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a3500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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)

Resolution

Sony a230 has a 10 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a3500 has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a230 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Sony a3500 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632

Sony a3500 has a 97 % 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

Sony a3500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a230. Sony a3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Sony a230 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a230 100-3200
Sony a3500 100-16000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a230
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a3500

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 Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a230 2,5
Sony a3500 3,5

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 Sony a3500. 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.

Sony a230 weighs 490 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 19% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a230 490 gr
1.08 lb
Sony a3500 411 gr
0.91 lb

Sony a230 vs Sony a3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a230 and Sony a3500, 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
Sony a3500
Name Sony a230 Sony a3500
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Release Year 2009 2014
Release Date 2009-05-18 2014-03-21
MSRP 549 USD 399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 5456 x 3632 pixels
Megapixels 10 MP 20 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a230
Sony a3500
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 6 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Optical)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 25
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 230400 230400
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Frames per second 2,5 fps 3,5 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 6 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) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a230
Sony a3500
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a230
Sony a3500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 480 shots
Width 128 mm 128 mm
Height 97 mm 91 mm
Depth 68 mm 85 mm
Weight 490 gram 411 gram