Last update 05 October’09 – Review @ DPS
Sony Alpha A380 announced on May 17, 2009 is an image stabilized 14.2 megapixel DSLR that features live view, integrated help guide, 2.7 inch LCD, 9 point auto focus, HDMI terminal (cable sold separately), ISO range from 100 to 3200, camera dimensions are approx. 128 x 97 x 71.4mm (W/H/D), and it weighs Approx. 489g (without battery, memory card, accessories).
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| Price & Availability
Review Index – (updated 05 October’09)
DPS
“On test, I have to say I was agreeably surprised at the quality of colour and sharpness in the pictures I shot. In a series of shots made with varying ISO settings, I found the upper levels — even ISO 3200 — delivered excellent quality. A well-priced, fine camera, capable of excellent work. But no video shooting capability!”
PCAdvisor
“The Sony Alpha A380 delivers evenly exposed images with natural colours when left on its default settings. There are further pre-optimised Creative Style settings for those who prefer the more vivid look. We weren’t convinced, however, that the supplied kit lens made the best of the sensor’s high pixel count, with detail softer than we expected.”
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WhatDigitalCamera
“It’s when using live view that the camera shines, and while other manufacturers have made their own advances in this area Sony still remains on top. It’s only really the design of the body which may be problematic, though of course, this won’t bother everyone.”
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MacWorld
“SLR newcomers who are easily intimidated when trying to use a camera more complicated than a point-and-shoot may find the Alpha A380 a lot easier to use than other SLRs. But with the disappointing plastic build and lack of video capture, you might be tempted to look elsewhere.”
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DPReview
“If you shoot mainly at base ISO, in live view and Auto mode the Sony DSLR-A380 is worth a closer look. For everyone else the camera can only become a consideration if its price drops significantly. At the Sony’s price point there are currently several better alternatives available.”
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Camera Labs
“So while the A380 is a disappointment for enthusiasts, it can be recommended as a first DSLR for absolute beginners so long as they get on with the ergonomics and don’t need video. Like its predecessor though, you’ll need a decent lens to really exploit its high resolution, such as the Carl Zeiss 16-80mm. If you’re intending to stick with the kit lens, you should seriously consider the cheaper Alpha A330 which is identical other than its lower 10.2 Megapixel resolution – fit both bodies with their kit lenses and you’re unlikely to notice a great deal of difference in real-life.”
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CNET
“There’s plenty to like in the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380, especially if you’re not overly concerned with color accuracy. But like its siblings the A230 and A330, it doesn’t really stand out in any particular way that might make it a recommended choice over its competitors.”
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PCW
“Sony’s Alpha A380 is lightweight and easy to use, but its price is high for a plasticky camera without video. Good points – High resolution for this kind of model; large and responsive buttons; on-screen help; uncluttered controls. Bad points – Plastic look and feel; screen mechanism stiff; Live View depletes battery”
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PhotographyBlog
“Perhaps Sony hasn’t brought a great deal that’s new to the party between the A350 and A380, but at the very least here is a DSLR that you’ll be quite happy to take out with you for a day’s sightseeing when you might have otherwise plumped for a less satisfactory compact for the sake of its perceived lightness and convenience.”
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Pocket-lint
“Though not an outright bargain, for those who are prepared to ignore the obvious lure of the “big two”, Sony’s A380 tethers a high resolution, creative features, and innovative technologies to ease of use. The result is a reliable performer delivering richly detailed and colourful images, though you might want to trade up from the kit lens fairly quickly.”
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CNET UK
“The Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is meant to replace the old A350, but it’s more like a relaunch than a replacement. Technically, it appears to be pretty much the same camera, albeit with a new lens and a fancy redesign. This makes the price hard to swallow, especially since the A350 is still available in many stores for less.”
Rating: 
Photo Review
“Buy this camera if – You’re looking for a small, light DSLR camera with good performance as an upgrade to an advanced compact camera. – You want a Live View system that can support fast autofocusing. – You’d like a camera with plenty of adjustable controls and an interface that will encourage you to learn more about photography.”
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LetsGoDigital
“To be fair; the Sony DSLR-A380 is a digital SLR camera you’d expect to find in the current DSLR market. The aim was clearly to create a genuine Sony Look&Feel and a user-friendly graphical user interface. And in doing so, Sony has proven successful. The only thing is that it came at the cost of a few details; of which the main disadvantage is the battery capacity. From a technical viewpoint and for image quality, there is a slight overall improvement compared to its predecessor.”
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TechRadar
“At its current (introductory) price the Alpha 380 is outclassed by competitors like the Nikon D5000, which offer more refined handling and better image quality, plus, of course, HD video recording mode. The omission of an HD video recording function is disappointing, especially from Sony, and a plasticky body and unconvincing image quality detract from the camera’s good points.”
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CNET Asia (Hands-On Preview)
“In the entry-level dSLR category, the A380’s specifications are not impressive. The deal-breaker for most consumers would be the lack of a video-recording mode which Canon and Nikon offer. In the US, the A380 is retailing for US$850 with the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens.”
Owner Feedback
Coming soon…
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos @ WhatDigitalCamera]
[Sample Photos @ DPReview]
[Sample Photos @ Camera Labs]
[ISO Performance Samples @ CNET]
[Image Quality Samples @ PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photo @ Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photo @ CNET UK]
[Sample Photos @ LetsGoDigital]
Owners Manual
Coming soon…
Press Release
SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2009 – Sony is making it easy for first-time digital SLR buyers to step up from point-and-shoot digital still cameras with the introduction today of three new easy-to-use ? (alpha) cameras (models DSLR-A380, DSLR-A330 and DSLR-A230), four new lenses, a flash and accessories.
Uniquely Matched to Customers’ Needs
The new cameras are designed to overcome challenges faced by many customers taking their first steps in DSLR photography. Without compromising performance and versatility, the new models are smaller, lighter, easier to use and offer innovative expansion options not found in other systems.
“Our new alpha cameras, lenses and accessories make it easier for new users to get the great photos they expect without the steep learning curve that DSLRs have traditionally required,” said Kristen Elder, senior manager for the alpha business at Sony Electronics Inc. “By overcoming the obstacles, we’ve made it much easier for newcomers to take great pictures with DSLRs.”
Light and Compact
The 10.2 megapixel ?230 camera is the lightest, most compact alpha DSLR camera body ever at 15.9 ounces. The 10.2 megapixel ?330 and the 14.2 megapixel ?380 cameras are also smaller and lighter than their predecessor models (the DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350, respectively). These cameras are also more compact and feature an intuitive control layout that allows for easy single-handed operation.
SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization is built into each camera body, so every ?-mount lens benefits from the ability to minimize blur due to camera shake.
Quick AF Live View System
Both the ?380 and ?330 cameras offer Sony’s Quick Autofocus (AF) Live View technology, so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD screen as well as in the optical viewfinder. Through the use of a dedicated image sensor, Quick AF Live View maintains the rapid response of a DSLR, while avoiding the focus delay common to other live view systems.
The new cameras feature a 2.7-inch (diagonally) Clear Photo LCD™ screen that is easy to view even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the LCD on the ?380 and ?330 models can be tilted up or down, making it easy to frame your subject from high or low positions, otherwise difficult to see using an eye-level viewfinder. The range of adjustment has been increased from their predecessors, making it even easier to get shots from difficult angles.
By combining Quick AF Live View and an adjustable LCD, users can frame the scene without holding the camera in front of their face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children for more natural expressions.
An HDMI™ terminal gives you the option of connecting your camera to a compatible HDTV and playing back your images in high definition quality (HDMI cable required, sold separately). Additionally, BRAVIA® Sync™ works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television’s remote (HDMI cable and BRAVIA Sync capable HDTV required, sold separately).
The new cameras include dedicated slots for high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/DSHC media (sold separately).
Built-in Help Guide
The ?380, ?330 and ?230 models are Sony’s first DSLR cameras to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) with built-in on-screen Help Guide.
The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of various modes and settings, while the Graphic Display helps you understand the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.
Systems, Lenses and Flash
Making it easier for first-time DSLR users to get started, the new Sony cameras come in camera-and-lens packages. In addition to the two new standard zoom and telephoto lenses that are offered with the camera bodies, the company introduced new portrait and macro lenses. These purpose-built lenses make it much easier to obtain professional-looking, creative results.
Optimized for use with APS-C sized image sensors, these lenses feature a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) that enables in-lens auto focus (AF) drive for smooth, quiet operation, and high optical performance in a compact size.
The DT 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens (model SAL-1855) incorporates aspherical and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements to provide an all purpose lens with outstanding image quality. The DT 55-200mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens (model SAL-55200/2) features an ED glass element and helps bring distant subjects closer, ideal for capturing sports. Both the SAL-1855 and SAL-55200 lenses are available separately, or packaged as kits with the new cameras.
To make the benefits of portrait and macro photography easier and more accessible, Sony is introducing a DT 50mm F/1.8 portrait lens (model SAL-50F18) and DT 30mm F/2.8 (model SAL-30M28) macro lens. The wide aperture SAL-50F18 lens helps users capture beautiful portraits with gently defocused backgrounds while the SAL-30M28 macro lens captures intricate close-ups. Both techniques are difficult to achieve with standard lenses.
To help users take better shots with flash, Sony offers an affordable, compact external flash unit (model HVL-F20AM) that is simple to operate. Unlike a camera’s built-in flash, this external flash provides higher output (Guide Number 20), and enables users to bounce light off the ceiling to eliminate harsh shadows and achieve more even illumination when shooting indoors.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders will begin on May 18, 2009 at www.sonystyle.com/retail and at selected retailers nationwide. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available in July at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.
The ?380L, ?330L and ?230L will cost about $850, $650 and $550, respectively. The L series one-lens kit comes with the SAL-1855 standard zoom lens.
The ?380Y, ?330Y and ?230Y will cost about $1050, $850 and $750, respectively. The Y series two-lens kit comes with both the SAL-1855 standard zoom and SAL-55200 telephoto zoom lenses.
