Sony DSLR-A350 - Expert Reviews

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Sony's latest pro-sumer digital SLR offers 14.2 megapixels and full AF in live view mode

Verdict: The Sony Alpha A350 is a superb camera, but anyone who was expecting a full professional DSLR like the A700 will be disappointed. Instead you get an A200 with the addition of live view and a massive 14.2-megapixel sensor. The live view system with ...

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Sony's first two DSLRs, the A100 and A700 showed clear signs of their Konica Minolta lineage - sharing a lot of DNA with the Maxxum (Dynax) 5D and 7D respectively. Its latest, the A350, still shows signs of that ancestry but also hints at the ...

Pros: Good detail at lowest sensitivities, competitive with best in class, Reliable metering, JPEG output makes good use of the sensor's dynamic range, Most seamless live view system of current DSLRs, Probably the easiest DSLR to use for a compact camera ...

Cons: Soft JPEGs with poor low-contrast detail, Smallest viewfinder to appear on an APS-C DSLR, Screen obstructs use of viewfinder, Image quality suffers above ISO 400 (from both noise and excessive noise reduction), Long exposure noise reduction turns hot ...

Review summary: The feature-packed Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 is a cornucopia of photographic goodness for the budget shopper.

Pros: Sensor-shift image stabilization ; useful Live View implementation with flip-up LCD

Cons: Kit lens could be better ; mixed performance ; small viewfinder ; interface annoyances

Verdict:  Unless you're prepared to spend a disproportionate amount of money on a really good lens, the resolution bump offered by the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 isn't worth the price.

Review summary: Performance at a very competitive price

Pros: Excellent specification for price, great image quality, Super Steady Shot, Anti Dust system, Eye Start, D-Range Optimiser, ergonomics

Cons: LCD cannot be swivelled back into the body (for protection)

Verdict: Excellent performance and great image quality combine neatly within in an easy to use body and good price that make the Sony Alpha 350 worthy of serious consideration

Review summary: Sony's 14.2Mp Alpha 350 is one of the maker's first to feature Live View using a novel, pull-out 2.7in screen.

Verdict: 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. ...