70
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
$800.00
Released March, 2008
The Pros:Features live view LCD viewfinder with dedicated sensor. Competitively priced. Extremely high resolution sensor @ 14.2 megapixels.
The Cons:Poor kit lens. Uses CF cards - most cameras in this segment have moved to smaller, cheaper alternatives. Built-in flash which utilizes a pre-flash that causes the dreaded sleepy eye effect in most pictures taken in dark settings.
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, along with the DSLR-A300 are two Digital SLR cameras from Sony. These models are essentially upgrades to the Alpha DSLR-A200 release in the fall of 2007. Both the 350 and 300 two distinct new features: 1) Live View mode for the LCD viewfinder, and 2) an articulating LCD screen.
Also, the A350 offers a significant increase in its resolution, increasing to 14.2 megapixels, up from 10.2 megapixels in the A200. The A350 offers further penetration by Sony into the DSLR market, since the introduction of its first DSLR camera in the Alpha line, the Alpha DSLR-A100 release in the summer of 2006.
Features
- 14.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD
- new Live View mode with secondary image sensor for the LCD
- swiveling, articulating LCD screen
- continuous burst mode: 2 fps
- memory: compact flash media
- ISO Sensitivity: 100 to 3,200
- super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization offers from 2.5 to 3.5 stops of compensation
- Bionz Image Processor
- Dynamic Range Optimizer: Normal DRO improves detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time. Advanced DRO adjusts dynamic range area-by-area.
- Anti-Dust Technology
- Auto Pop-Up Flash
- Eye-Start Autofocus System
- 9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor
- 40-segment honeycomb metering system
- Scene Selection Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View situations
- Creative Style Settings
- 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Screen
- Index and Slide Show Display
- High-Resolution Thumbnails for PhotoTV HD Viewing
- Function Guide Display
Live View
Sony's implementation of live view places a second, low-resolution, dedicated image sensor to be used by the LCD viewfinder. The rationale behind Live View is to improve the response time of the digital viewfinder, so that it mimics the behavior of an optical viewfinder. The low-resolution sensor introduces less lag between the actual image and the image rendered to the LCD by requiring less processing time by the camera's internal circuitry. There is a mirror inside the pentamirror arrangement that reflects the image to the secondary live view sensor.
Availability and Pricing
The A350 will be released on March 21, 2008 and will retail for around $800 for the camera body only. The package including a 18-70mm lens will retail for $900. The A300 will sell for $800 with the lens.
User Reviews (16)
Pros & Cons
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9
Features live view LCD viewfinder with dedicated sensor
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7
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6
Extremely high resolution sensor @ 14.2 megapixels
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5
Unique articulating LCD screen
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3
compatible with older Minolta lenses
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3
good auto features for beginners, and great manual features for the more experienced
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3
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2
internal image stabilization
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2
nice form factor - feels good in the hand(s)
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2
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2
options are easy to use and operation is completely intuitive
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2
t
he tiltable LCD screen is a nice touch
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2
options to shoot RAW, jpeg & RAW+jpeg
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2
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1
great for improving point and shoot, without having to be a pro
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1
wider range in focal lengths than the competition
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1
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1
stabilization via physical sensor movement rather than simple O.I.S. or other methods
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1
Eye-start auto-focussing speeds up your shooting-- when you put your eye up to the viewfinder the camera attempts to pre-focus, minimising focus time when you press the shutter halfway.
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1
In-camera long exposure Noise Reduction is excellent.
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1
Large number of compatible peripherals.
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0
takes beautiful, clear, and sharp pictures even with the kit lenses
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4
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2
uses CF cards - most cameras in this segment have moved to smaller, cheaper alternatives
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2
built-in flash which utilizes a pre-flash that causes the dreaded sleepy eye effect in most pictures taken in dark settings
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1
slow 2.5 FPS continuous shooting
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1
new lenses from Sony or Carl Zeiss are expensive
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1
the continuous burst shooting speed is rated at somewhere between 2-2.5 shots per second, slower than the Canon (more in the 3-3.5 range)
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1
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1
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1
proprietary USB/audiovisual connector
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1
need to replace the lens with a better quality one for good performance
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1
the LCD is difficult to view in daylight
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0
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0
the strap supplied with the camera is lousy
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