A200 vs A230

Hi All

I have the A200 and I'm trying to determine the principle differences between these two cameras. I'm primarily interested in IQ differences if any.

As far as I know the A230 is slightly smaller, has beginner menues, and for the most part is virtually the same as the A200.

Your input will be appreciated.

Touchdown wrote: As far as I know the A230 is slightly smaller, has beginner menues, and for the most part is virtually the same as the A200.

Yeah, that sums it up. I believe it lacks the wired remote plug too. No obvious improvements.

Hi Again

Is it safe to say, the IQ of the A230 is equal to or better than the IQ of the A200 (includes low light performance)?

This IQ comparison is very important as my friend absolutely likes the IQ of the A200.

The A230 looks like a hairdresser's camera... Less DSLR like...

Pick up an a230 in store and you will keep your A200. A230 feels like a toy in comparison. The plastic used for the body is truly awful and the build is poor. Also you will loose a stack of features.

A230 is a pointless body IMHO.

As for the IQ - I have not compared them but I think that they are very close or even indifferent.

With A230 you get:

* HDMI output,
* Different view on the display,
* SD cards instead of CF,

but at the same time you loose:

* ergonomics (grip is not pleasant to hold and the front wheel is awfully placed: low and horizontally instead of high and vertically - try to operate it and you'll see how bad this solution is),
* AE lock - and I do not mean the button - no AE lock at all. It's your decision whether you can live without it or not. For me it's a deal breaker because I had at least a few situations where I used this feature,
* WB control - no Kelvin setting any more. Again - can be a deal breaker depending on whether you use it or not,
* CF cards are gone (personally I do not care - SDs are equally good and easier to use in a computer since many laptops have integrated card readers now - but not CF card readers),
* Good battery - the new one used in A230 has smaller capacity, which means fewer shots per charge (and these new accus are a bit pricier than accu for A200!),
* Vertical grip - there is no such beast for A230/330/380, at least so far,
* Power of integrated flash - the one on A230 is less powerful (GN is 10 vs 12 on A200),
* Eye relief in A230 is 16.5mm as opposed to 17.6mm on A200,
* Speed - A200 is 3fps, A230 is 2.5fps - maybe not much but still,
* Weight - A230 is lighter,
* Price - A200 will cost you less at this moment.

Uff, that's all I think. Decision is up to you, but personally I'm far from encouraging anybody to buy A230 - for myself I would buy A200 (chaper and better photographically; IQ difference is probably negligible).

MiPr: I tried to write something similar but I see you found more cons, I agree with your list. Unfortunatelly Sony(and not alone) push prices down but customers then pay for it. I think in near future(almost now) we will need to buy some step-up model to cover even basic needs because entry-level will be almost unusable.
Main features what I like on A200 and would miss on A230:
- ergonomics: A200 is almost ideal size+weight for me and something smaller and lighter is worse
- battery: I like percentage reading on A200 as it gives accurate info about remaining shots, also A200 battery capacity is very good.
- AEL lock button: I use it relatively often in problematic scenes with highlights/shadows.
- remote controller: I use wired shutter release(cheap 3rd party) for tripod and macro shots. If A230 will have IR remote option probably shutter only(like Nikon), no half press(focus) like wired one have.
- VG: I don't have it but I plan to buy(after try) in future so option for inteligent VG(with contacts) is not useless.