Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Latest - Review and Sample Photos by Pocket-lint (added 13 May ’08)
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 features:
- 14.4 megapixel
- Tiltable 2.7 inch LCD
- High ISO of 3200
- In camera image stabilization
- Dynamic range optimizer
Read More Reviews - (updated 13 May ’08)
| Pocket-lint |  |
| PCAdvisor | |
| WhatDigitalCamera | |
| LetsGoDigital | |
| DigitalTrends | |
| Imaging-Resource |  |
| PopPhoto | |
| CNET |  |
| CameraLabs | |
| GoodGearGuide | |
| PhotoReview | |
| ImagingResource - N/A | |
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Pocket-lint has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“And so, overall, the Alpha 350 has been balanced out to provide a range of advanced features and Live View with a high-resolution sensor but at the cost of some of its predecessors handling capabilities and control. Its performance is excellent and the image quality, even at higher ISOs is very good indeed and makes the Sony Alpha 350 certainly worth considering if you’re in the market for a mid-range digital SLR.”
PCAdvisor has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“On the plus side, Sony’s Alpha 350 shows great image quality, an effective antishake system, a good build and a handy pull-out LCD monitor. However, we weren’t so impressed with its ergonomics, its poor layout of controls and tunnel-like viewfinder. Live View compromises its conventional use, plus there’s a limited range of pricey accessories and lenses.”
WhatDigitalCamera has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“Despite a few shortcomings, the autofocus-enabled live view is the best I’ve come across and is exactly what compact owners looking to upgrade to a DSLR have been waiting for. I would even say that Sony has set a benchmark for how live view systems should operate, and I look forward to seeing further refinements of the system in future models. Image quality is generally high, and if you take advantage of its live view, you’ve got one cracking camera.”
LetsGoDigital has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“You tend to classify the Sony A350 as a semi-pro camera. Not a bad thing, because it shows that the housing and appearance of the camera give you a good feeling, certainly with the Carl Zeiss lens mounted on the camera. However, you have to adjust the expectations coming with these feelings, judge the test results on their true value, and place the camera in the amateur segment. I am convinced that the Sony Alpha 350 will perform wonderfully for the target group. If I may follow up this line of argument as to what Sony will come up with for the higher segment, I think the competition will have to beware. The Sony DSLR-A350 serves as the first appetizer on the Sony menu, and allows us to say it already tastes perfectly!”
DigitalTrends has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“This one is really a no-brainer. At $799 USD for the body only, the Sony alpha DSLR-A350 is a terrific camera for the price. I’d avoid the kit lens and spend a little extra for the 16-80mm Zeiss edition–and you’ll be set for years. This D-SLR has a nice, solid feel, is easy to operate, takes quality images, has built-in stabilization, sensor cleaning and enough tweaks to keep you punching menu options until you get completely bored. Fortunately the photographic results of the –A350 are far from boring. And then there’s Quick AF Live View. Did I mention I liked it?”
Imaging-Resource has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“When action shooting, I wasn’t overly impressed with the A350’s focus tracking ability, but I did manage to get a few sharp shots at the relatively slow 2.44 second speed of Continuous mode. What I was impressed with was the Sony A350’s AF speed. Whether in Live View or via the optical viewfinder, the A350 can autofocus in 0.18 second. Prefocusing results in a shutter lag of 0.08 second. Very fast.”
PopPhoto has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“In terms of ergonomics and controls, the A350 has much in common with Sony’s new entry-level A200. It’s nicely balanced, the grip is more comfortable, and it feels solid and well built. Unlike the Olympus E-510, Pentax K20D, and Sony’s pro-level A700, the A350 doesn’t sport weather and dust seals, but it does include a dust-repelling sensor coating and a sensor-shake function to help dislodge dust.”
CNET has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“If you need the resolution bump at a low price, the Rebel XSi is probably a better choice than the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350. It lacks in-body image stabilization and the A350’s intelligent Live View implementation, but it does have the mode, and Canon offers better comparable kit lenses and a better selection of budget lenses, as well as better photo quality and performance.”
CameraLabs has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and writes -
“Despite a few issues which will annoy technical photographers, the Alpha A350 is an excellent DSLR with great features and arguably one of the best Live View implementations to date. Given all it offers for the asking price we can easily award it our Highly Recommended rating. Other manufacturers watch out – Sony means business in the DSLR market.”
GoodGearGuide - 07 March’08 - reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and thinks the dust reduction system is not as good as the competitors. Here is a summary of their review -
“The key advantage of the A350 is ease of use. Sony has made the extra effort to create a user interface that is not only intuitive it’s clean and easy to use. Performance is about on par with the rest of the DSLR’s in this class. Image quality was great with perfect skin tones and exposure accuracy was spot on. The Dynamic Range optimizer helps to bring out subtle shadow detail. Here’s a camera that will surly appeal to novices who want to move up to a DSLR but are afraid of overly complicated cameras. “
PhotoReview - 28 February’08 - reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and feels that even photographers who like to shoot with the viewfinder will finder the tiltable LCD really helpful. Here is a summary of their review -
“The A350 offers two advantages - First, it’s perfect for folks who are looking to upgrade to a more sophisticated camera but with minimal complications. Second, people who want really high resolution with all the latest cool controls. Low light photos held up really well with minimal noise even at ISO 800. On board noise reduction was not aggressive and photos did not end up unsharp or fuzzy.”
ImagingResource - 30 January’08 - reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and even though it’s a more sophisticated upgrade over the earlier A200 it’s still easy to use. Here is a summary of their review -
“It’s actually a fun camera to use. It’s straightforward and uncomplicated with menus that are easy to figure out and navigate. It seems to have a little better build quality over the A200 and according to the reviewer the live view mode really camera in useful. Bottom line - this camera is an easy to use entry level DSLR that allows beginners to take great looking pictures.”
Videos
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at WhatDigitalCamera]
[Sample Photos at LetsGoDigital]
[Sample Test Photos at Imaging-Resource]
[Sample Test Photos at PopPhoto]
[Sample Test Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Test Photos at PhotoReview]
[Sample Test Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Test Photos at DCResource}
Specifications
[Official Sony Specifications]
Press Release
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 30, 2008 – Sony is bringing live-view shooting to its digital SLR camera line with today’s (alpha) DSLR-A350 camera and 10.2-megapixel?introduction of a 14.2-megapixel - (alpha) DSLR-A300 model. Both cameras feature new technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users.
Quick AF Live View System
They both offer Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD without sacrificing auto-focusing speed common to other live-view systems.
Sony’s innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view.
Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new models are equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder.
With its two sensor design, Quick AF Live View can even continuously focus-track the subject and provide live view during burst shooting, helping you capture that special moment.
Taking further advantage of Quick AF Live View is the models’ variable angle 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD ™ screen. This makes it easy to frame scenes from high or low positions difficult to reach when using an eye-level viewfinder.
With Live View and an adjustable LCD, the cameras do not need to be in front of the user’s face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children.
“Mainstream users stepping up to DSLRs are looking for a similar experience to their point and shoot cameras, but without compromise in speed or performance” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “Quick AF Live View gives these new models a familiar shooting style without compromising speed – ideal for the growing market of first-time SLR users.”
Exceptional Image Quality
The new models produce images with fine detail, rich tonality and vibrant color due to their APS-C CCD image sensors and BIONZ® processing engine. To aid shooting in low light, Super SteadyShot® image stabilization enables shutter speeds 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible, with every compatible Minolta Maxxum® and Sony ? (alpha) lens (sold separately) attached to the camera.
High sensitivity operation at ISO 1600 and 3200 and very low noise are made possible by the user-selectable high-ISO noise reduction features. Sony’s D-Range Optimizer delivers suitable tonality and exposures with rich shadow and highlight detail, even under high contrast situations.
Powerful Performance, Easy to Use
The DSLR-A300 model can shoot about three continuous frames per second and the DSLR-A350 model can shoot up to two-and-a-half continuous frames per second, when using the optical viewfinder. Both are powered by the Bionz processing engine and supplied InfoLITHIUMTM battery for fast start-up times, quick response and long battery life – up to 730 shots per full charge when using the optical viewfinder and up to 410 shots per full charge in live-view mode.
Both models feature lighter, slimmer bodies for easy handling; an improved user interface; an automatic pop-up flash; a comfortable camera grip with an easily accessible mode dial; an anti-dust system to keep the CCD image sensor clean for spot-free pictures; and JPEG and RAW file format support. Both have a slot for CompactFlash™ Type I/II media cards.
An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo™ media cards is also available for the cameras and sold separately.
The new DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350 cameras are compatible with a range of accessories, including the ergonomic Sony VG-B30AM vertical grip. Also available as an option is the new Sony HVL-F42AM flash unit. It offers advanced features such as automatic white balance adjustment with color temperature information, adjustable bounce angles, ADI metering and wireless remote operation to suit the needs of most photographers.
Price and Availability
The DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800. The DSLR-A350 camera body will be available in March for about $800, and the DSLR-A350 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens will be available for about $900 at the same time. Both models will be available at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail ), military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online today at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.
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