Boasting the same Quick AF live view system of its predecessor, what else does the latest Alpha model provide for the entry-level consumer?
Sony Alpha a380 Review
Verdict
That the Sony A380 is only a minor upgrade indicates one of two things. Either the entry-level user is already well-catered for, with everything they need to take the kind of images they would require, or a better-specified model which would sit a little higher up is in the pipeline. After all, a replacement for the Sony A700 is long overdue, and the video recording and high-resolution LCD screens tend to be seen as niceties geared towards the mid-range market than necessities to this one.
It’s when using live view that the camera shines, and while other manufacturers have made their own advances in this area Sony still remains on top. It’s only really the design of the body which may be problematic, though of course, this won’t bother everyone. Even so, the usual advice of handling a camera before you buy it is something we’d strongly suggest here.
Verdict
That the Sony A380 is only a minor upgrade indicates one of two things. Either the entry-level user is already well-catered for, with everything they need to take the kind of images they would require, or a better-specified model which would sit a little higher up is in the pipeline. After all, a replacement for the A700 is long overdue, and the video recording and high-resolution LCD screens tend to be seen as niceties geared towards the mid-range market than limitations to this one. It's when using live view that the camera shines, and while other manufacturers have made their own advances in this area Sony still remains on top. It's only really the design of the body which may be problematic, though of course, this won't bother everyone. Even so, the usual advice of handling a camera before you buy it is something we'd strongly suggest here.
Details
Sample Photos:View sample photos of the Sony Alpha a380"
AF Points:Nine points
Cable Release:Optional
PC Socket:No
Max Flash Sync:1/160sec.
Built-in Flash:Yes, GN 10m @ ISO 100
DoF Prview:No
Colour Temp Control:No
White Balance Bracket:No
Colour Space:AdobeRGB, sRGB
Exposure Comp:+/-3EV in 1/3 steps
Focusing Modes:Single, automatic, continuous
Shutter Type:Electronically-controlled, vertical traverse shutter
Dust Reduction:Yes
Built-in Image Stabilisation:Yes
Weight:490g
Dimensions:128 x 97 x 71.4mm
Power:Li-ion battery
Viewfinder Type:Eye-level penta-dach mirror type
Live Mode:Yes
Connectivity:USB 2.0 Hi-speed, HDMI
Memory Card:SD / MS
Field of View:95%
White Balance:Auto, six presets, custom
Drive Mode:2.5fps
ISO:ISO 100-3200
Metering System:40-segment: multi, centreweighted, spot
Compression:Two-stage JPEG
Exposure Modes:Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Seven scene
Shutter Speeds:30 - 1/4000sec, bulb
File Format:Raw, JPEG, Raw + JPEG
Lens Mount:Alpha
Focal Length Mag:Approx. 1.5x
LCD:2.7in, 230,400dots
Sensor:23.5 x 15.7mm CCD type, 14.9MP total, 14.2MP effective
Output Size:4592 x 3056