Product Reviews

The Alpha DSLR-A350 is a new model to Sony's rapidly expanding DSLR range. Although based on a similarly new entry-level model, the A200, it adds a number of significant features aimed at users looking for the next step in picture quality, but with the convenience of a digital compact.

As well as a 14.2-megapixel resolution CCD and handy flip-out 2.7in colour monitor, the A350 is the first DSLR from Sony to add Live View. This live previewing system differs from rival offerings by adopting a secondary video output of the camera's optical viewfinder screen. The resulting image is displayed in real time on the fold-out LCD.

Due to the unavoidable movement of the reflex mirror prior to preview and exposure, rival Live View systems remain, both literally and figuratively, somewhat clunky in operation. Termed Quick AF Live View, avoiding tardy contrast-detection AF using data from the main imaging sensor, this technique allows the A350 to remain responsive using the camera's faster viewfinder-based, phase-detection autofocus system.

Although a similar system was pioneered by rival Olympus and subsequently dropped after the E-330, allowing accurate preview of white balance and exposure as well as a continuous shooting option, Sony's system is much more refined and user-friendly. A new Smart Converter mode option provides a cropped image on the colour monitor, with 1.4x and 2x scaling options, but it's only available using Jpeg capture.

In addition to the extra pixels and well implemented Live System, the A350 boasts a new 9-point AF system with an ultra-sensitive, cross-shaped central AF detection point, bursts of up to 2.5fps and an enhanced body integral image stabilisation system. Allowing sharper snaps, while shooting at shutter speeds of between 2.5 and 3.5 stops slower than a camera without image stabilisation,

ADVERTISEMENT

the A350 promises a slight improvement of half a stop over earlier offerings. And this tallied with our test results. We were able to drop down as low as 1/15 sec at the longer end of the zoom and still get acceptably sharp results.

Held in the hands, the A350 feels reasonably durable and well-balanced, but quite weighty. A not overly large handgrip is placed quite close to the mirror box, so those with large hands may find the A350 a little cramped. In addition, the hinged colour monitor adds to the body's depth, making it tricky to get your eye close enough to see the viewfinder without smearing the LCD screen. It's an issue made worse by the tunnel-like viewfinder image, but at least the focusing screen is clear and bright.

Thanks to a traditional shooting mode dial and oversized buttons for important settings such as drive modes, sensitivity from ISO100 to ISO3200, and EV compensation, the A350 can be operated quickly. Set to burst mode and using the optical viewfinder, the A350 maintained the quoted 2.5fps, shooting an unlimited Standard and Fine Jpegs up to the capacity of the CompactFlash card, though this dropped to just six Raw files. In Live View mode the A350 chugged along at 2fps, but it's still a reasonable result.

Picture quality at lower ISOs is excellent, and although colour rendition can't quite match the semi-pro A700, the new Sony is impressive. Like most rivals, some colour speckled noise and gritty-looking images can be expected from ISO800 onwards, but compared with rivals such as the 10-megapixel Panasonic Lumix L-10, noise levels are still higher at every setting.

From our tests, the Sony DT 18-70mm starter lens shows some fringing and it can't quite match the sensor for resolving power, especially towards the corners of the frame. The optional Carl Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 is by far the superior lens but the extra £400 (£340 ex VAT) over the Sony lens could well be a show-stopper.

While we like Sony's Super SteadyShot anti-shake system, and the Live View is certainly an improvement over earlier offerings, to take full advantage of the 14-megapixel sensor you'll need to budget for some of the maker's more classier optics, which are on a par with those from Canon and Nikon. But, the A350 doesn't have quite the same appeal and may well end up competing with the soon to be released 10-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A300, sporting many of the same features.