Sony DSLR-A100 review

Dust getting into the body is becoming increasingly troublesome for digital SLR owners, and Sony combats it with a special coating on the low pass filter and by vibrating the sensor when the camera's switched on and off. Unfortunately, we still found occasional particles making their way into our A100 and onto images.

The specification that will grab most people, though, is the 10.2-megapixel CCD, which is essentially the same sensor found in Nikon's considerably pricier D200. This delivers 3,872 x 2,592 pixel images, which allows the A100 to make 300dpi prints about 1.5in larger than the 350D, or 2.5in larger than typical 6-megapixel cameras.

In testing, the A100 certainly resolved more detail than the 350D, but in real-life situations it's a subtle difference. Of greater concern, though, are the A100's noise levels, which at 800 ISO and above are noticeably worse than the 350D. While only bothering people who shoot at high sensitivities, this is traditionally a key benefit of digital SLRs.

Despite some minor disappointments, the Sony A100 remains a highly compelling proposition and an impressive debut. At this price, the 10.2-megapixel resolution, built-in anti-shake and slightly longer kit lens make it a worthy alternative to the 350D. The latter's current bargain price keeps it on the A List, but the Alpha range is certainly one to watch.

Author: Gordon Laing