Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony Alpha 230 and get the shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser. The DSLR-A230 stores its shutter count in unencrypted MakerNote tag 0x014a.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony Alpha 230 (DSLR-A230, June 2009) was Sony's most affordable entry-level A-mount DSLR in 2009, positioned below the A380 in the lineup. It features a 10.2 MP APS-C CCD sensor and Sony's Super SteadyShot IBIS system, making it an accessible choice for first-time DSLR buyers. The A230 lacks live view, keeping cost down while delivering solid image quality for the era. It accepts all A-mount lenses including legacy Minolta AF glass.
Sony rates the Alpha 230 mechanical shutter at 100,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha 230 (DSLR-A230) | 2009 | 10.2 MP APS-C CCD | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha 380 (DSLR-A380) (mid-range sibling) | 2009 | 14.2 MP APS-C CCD | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha 290 (DSLR-A290) (successor) | 2010 | 14.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 10,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 10,000 – 40,000 | 10 – 40 % | Low to moderate use |
| 40,000 – 75,000 | 40 – 75 % | Moderate to heavy use |
| 75,000 – 95,000 | 75 – 95 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 95,000 + | 95 %+ | Near or past rated life |
As Sony's most affordable A-mount DSLR of 2009, the A230 was primarily sold to first-time DSLR buyers who typically accumulate lower shutter counts. Used bodies at moderate counts remain a cost-effective way to enter the A-mount ecosystem, especially for owners of legacy Minolta AF lenses.
The Alpha 230 uses unencrypted Sony MakerNote tag 0x014a for the shutter count — the same tag used across the entire A100–A580 DSLR series. ShutterCount parses the ARW TIFF structure, locates this tag, and reads the counter directly. No cipher or decryption is needed.
No. The Alpha 230 does not support live view shooting — this feature was omitted to keep the camera affordable. For live view, Sony's contemporaneous A380 (and later A390) provided this capability. The absence of live view does not affect the shutter count or its storage in MakerNote tag 0x014a.
Yes. The A230 uses the Sony A-mount, which is mechanically and electronically compatible with Minolta AF (Maxxum / Dynax) lenses from 1985 onward. Super SteadyShot stabilisation works with all A-mount lenses, including legacy Minolta glass without stabilisation information embedded in the lens.