Preview: Sony Alpha DSLR A350

Kattintson ide a magyar változatért

Sony had been communicating for a long time, that they are working on to have a little more than a single A100 on the DSLR market. Some of their mid range and professional cameras have been displayed behind glass at different trade shows, and the semi-pro A700 has been on the market for a few months, but the professional camera was expected by the masses for the first quarter of 2008. Instead Sony has updated the entry level line with the A200, what was followed by two siblings: the Alpha A300 and the Alpha A350. Honestly, we should have thought about this because tha A100 has salready erved its time. The A300 and A350 now create a bridge between the truly entry level A200 and the A700. In fact, some of the parameters of the new cameras are even better than those of the A700.

Sony Alpha DSLR A350

Yesterday we have received the more advanced model of the two. The Alpha A350 has two impressive new features that distinguish this camera from its siblings, and competitors as well.

Image sensor

One of the impressive new feature of the camera is the 14.2 megapixel resolution (effective). This is the highest resolution Sony DSLR to date, but if we look only the resolution, it has no direct competitor in its segment either. Sony has decided to use this fact to promote the camera, so the resolution is printed on the front of the camera with rather large letters. Next time the marketing department should consult with the designers before they pick the design of these labels.
By going through the specifications we can see that this resolution is provided by a 14.9 megapixel APS-C sized (23.5 x 15.7 mm) CCD image sensor. The sensitivity is adjustable between ISO 100 and ISO 3200 in 1 EV steps. The responsibility of the image processing is given to Sony's BIONZ image processing system.

The largest image has 4592×3056 pixels resolution, but the camera provides two smaller, and thre 16:9 image sizes as well. The highest resolution in the wider image format is 12 megapixel. The Alpha A350 provides a Smart Teleconverter feature, that gives 1.4× and 2× enlarged images by cropping the middle part, and saves smaller resolution images. At 2× enlargement the image is 2416×1600 pixels.

Livew View

The other new feature is the Live View function of the A300 and A350 models, that appears in Sony's DSLRs for the first time. Live view itself would not be a big deal, but Sony's approach differs from that of the other manufacturers. The main idea was to provide a live view function that works with all lenses and can use the phase detection AF system without moving the mirror for every focusing attempt. The result of the engineers' efforts is the best live view solution available in any DSLR cameras.

The penta-mirror viewfinder contains a mirror that can be turned a little bit. In its standard position the mirror reflects light as it was mart of a normal penta mirror viewfinder, while in its turned position it forwards the light to a live view sensor. The live view function and the mirror is operated by the Live View-OVF switch on the top of the Alpha A350. This system provides normal DSLR class AF without those unnecessary and noisy mirror movements, and can do this with all Alpha compatible lenses. It works like any compact camera, but we can enjoy the fast phase detection AF instead the rather slow and often failing contrast detection AF system. Even the continuous shooting is available, although only at a slower, 2 fps speed (instead 2.5 fps at OVF mode). When the images are saved in JPEG format, the number of photos that can be taken in one series is only limited by the space available on the memory card. When selecting RAW, this is limited to 4, while reduced to 3 when RAW+JPEG is selected.

Although the coverage of the live view function is only 90%, but we can see a live histogram, the active AF point, while we get focus indicator and normal status display of the viewfinder.

In contrast to the traditional 40 segment metering system, these cameras measure light at 1200 different points on the image. The normal system works between 2 and 20 EV (4-20 EV at spot mode), while Live View works between 2 and 17 EV at any mode. Live View also provides exposure compensation, white balance and some creative color modes as well.

The only problem I ran into while playing with the live view function of the A350 was that there is no enlargement to help manual focusing. Theoretically the Smart Teleconverter could help a bit, but 2× enlarged image on the LCD looks blurry enough to be unusable for manual focusing. I also missed the grid function, that is a standard feature of many compact and live view enabled DSLR cameras.

LCD display

If we compare it to the A100, we can see that the LCD has changed a lot, but there is no difference from the LCD of the A200. It is a 2.7" (6.7 cm) panel with 230,400 pixels (960×240 pixels). The new feature is that it can be turned up and down, what helps a lot when holding the camera low or high. Although this is a perfect companion of the live view feature, still very rare in the DSLR segment. While the display of the A350 is not as flexible as some of the other solutions, it still provides great advantage over fixed LCD panels. The LCD can be turned down by 40 degrees and up by 90-130 degrees. The coverage is 100% and the brightness is adjustable in 5 steps.

Viewfinder

viewfinder image compared to other Sony cameras

There must be a drawback somewhere that goes along great live view. This time it is at the viewfinder. It is smaller than the viewfinder of the A100 or A200 cameras. Its coverage is 95%, while the magnification is only 0.7× (compared to 0.83× of the previous models). This provides 5-6% smaller viewable image.

Ergonomics

It seems that the Alpha series of Sony is finally finding its own design/image. This camera reflects some of the Minolta traditions, and some of the parts of the A700 camera. We can also find details that are obviously inherited from the A100, like the little "bump" around the shutter release button. At least the whole camera has the same color. The top of the camera between the shutter release and the viewfinder is filled with buttons and switches, what looks better than the rather empty top of the A700. While they look good, this layout is not the most comfortable. The same applies to the buttons on the left side of the LCD display.

The rubberized hand grip provides a steady hold, it is in pair with other DSLRs from the same segment. I even found the depth of the gip large enough. I would like to emphasize the great design of the optional portrait grip (WG-B30AM) that is also compatible with the A200, A300 and A700 cameras. It is not just comfortable, but really easy to use, since all the buttons and the dial are at the same place (height, when the camera is held to the face) as on the landscape hand grip.

The placement of the often used Fn button seems perfect, and I would like to welcome the new flash opening button. The two dial system of the A100 is gone, the mode dial is on the left, and the missing dial's functions are available through the Fn menu.

The other drawback of the live view is the lower built in flash. It is placed 2 cm lower (7 cm, instead 9 cm above the axis of the lens) than previously. The new livew view sensor needed some extra space above the penta mirror. The A200 has the same flash, although that model is not equipped with live view function. Other than the LiveView switch and the Smart Teleconverter button the A200 and A300 look identical.

Dynamic Range Optimizer

The early version of the DRO was already used in the A100, than it was significantly reworked for the A700. The Sony Alpha A350 got the same system as its predecessor, providing 3 options to chose from (Off, Standard and Advanced+), although with some improvement. Earlier the Advaned option was not available above ISO 400, but it can be used now. The image processing speed was also improved, and the effects of the DRO can be seen on the LiveView display as well.

The "small" things

The CCD-shift image stabilization system was slightly upgraded. According to the manufacturer it provides 2.5-3.5 EV advantage over non stabilized cameras, compared to the 2-3.5 EV advantage in the A100.

The lithium-ion battery of the predecessor was replaced by Sony's proprietary Infolithium technology, that provides precise (in 1% steps) feedback about the charge of the battery. If a portrait grip is used, the charge of both can be seen on the LCD. Without live view the camera can take about 730 images at one charge, while this drops to 410, when the live view is used.

The press material is promising a better white balance and exposure control, but we can't confirm that yet, since our camera was an early pre-production model.

The camera can be connected to Photo TV compatible (Sony Bravia) HD televisions.

The following table shows the differences between the A100 and A350 cameras:

Major differences compared to the A200 model:

• 14.2 megapixel resolution
• LiveView
• Smart Teleconverter
• Two way tilt LCD display
• Smaller viewfinder
• Slower continuous shooting (2.5 fps instead of 3 fps)

Major differences compared to the A300 model:

• 14.2 megapixel resolution
• Slower continuous shooting (2.5 fps instead of 3 fps)

The price difference between the three new models is $100. Those who are thinking about buying an entry level Alpha system camera can chose easily. The basic (A200), the one with live view (A300) and the one with higher resolution and live view (A350) make a nice product range. The A350 will definitely be a strong member of the entry level DSLR segment, while its really advanced live view mode can encourage other manufacturers to improve their own solutions. The A350 will be sold separately ($800) and together with a 18-70mm kit lens ($900). The cameras will be available in stors from March.

Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM

We have been fortunate enough to have Sony's new Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM lens for a day with a production A200, so we can now post some sample images.

Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM sample photos