Product Policy Sony

The Sony A230 is the sixth digital camera and the fourth SLR in my possession. Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to use them with different lenses in parallel with an Olympus E-410 (SLR) and a Sony DSC W380 (compact camera); for this reason, my report will focus on the advantages and disadvantages to these two cameras.

What benefits do I expect from an SLR, and what disadvantages I take it into account?

Modern SLRs usually have a more compact compared to small image sensor, however, the least fails greater order of magnitude than that of a compact or bridge camera.
In addition to the diffuse feeling to hold a valent piece of technology in your hand, so you can expect an especially high image quality.
For this benefit, I am quite willing to 750g carrying around with me. However, I would otherwise not enter into further compromises.

To what extent fulfills the Sony Alpha my expectations?

The Alpha A230 is led by Sony as an entry model. It shows ranging from the plastic case to the smallest technical detail. Unfortunately imposes itself in many places the impression that Sony has deteriorated the camera deliberately. You can tell the camera to clear that Sony has a problem with the product definition. I rarely held a camera in his hand, which is so fraught compromise as the Sony A230.
Example image sensor: The Sony Alpha is a relatively large and low resolution (I like that!) Sensor delivered. Unfortunately, Sony installed antiquated CCD technology, so that respect. Noise is given no difference to the Olympus E-410 (after 1/3 smaller MOS sensor with the same resolution) (Sony built C-MOS sensors until A450).
The CCD sensor and the absence of a second sensor (same as in the Alpha 3xx models) criteria also require that these camera controls no Live View.
When using the kit lens that is not tragic. However, if you want to focus with high-intensity manual lenses at close range, you will miss a screen representation painful. Mainly because of the viewfinder (? Typical of Sony) is positioned too far back: for eyeglass wearers it is impossible to see the entire viewfinder image. This can the competition better.
The housing of the Sony is relatively clunky but compact. The Olympus E-410 is a bit easier. But what is difficult to weight in the truest sense of the word, is the impossible handle the A230, which leads that you have to hold the camera with two and a half fingers. The predecessor could still hold up well and persevering with one hand. Intent?
Earlier I mentioned that I with an SLR - accept no limitation - apart from a higher weight. Even cheap compact cameras now offer video function. The A230 not. However, she is not alone: ​​unfortunately this blemish have all but entry-level SLR.

Quality compared to Olympus E-410 and Sony W380:

Despite large sensor and low resolution (only 10 megapixels) is the noise of the sensor at ISO 200 clearly visible figures on - but still bearable. Comparable to the Olympus E-410th The compact Sony W380 Knipse is here expected worse - though not significantly, as is nachgeholfen here strongly electronically.
The kit lens of the Sony has a plastic connection, which is not necessarily in and of itself be bad. However, I also had the feeling that it would not run very clean - Rubbing plastic! On my test photos the kit lens shows an intense vignetting and a significant distortion. Various test sites on the net to confirm my opinion.
The Olympus Kit schägt better by a mile and - what is particularly bad - even the small W380 has a better lens.

Summary:

In pure beginners sector you will be in the competition (eg Olympus) better off. The kit lens is good to try, but already outclassed by a EUR 200 compact camera. The Sony A230 is clearly overpriced as a kit.

So far, so bad. If one looks across over the disadvantages, however, you realize that the A230 is the cheapest way to get into the rich supply of Minolta / Sony lenses. Combined with a bright lens (for example, soiled Minolta F1 / 1.4 - 50 mm for less than EUR 200) may be in spite of all disadvantages shoot wonderful pictures with this camera. To an almost unbeatable price.

My recommendation: If you already have good lenses for Sony / Minolta mount, this camera is definitely worth considering. With the kit lens is clearly not recommended.