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Sony Alpha A350

Posted July 18th, 2008

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Zoom: Depends on lens
Megapixels: 14.2
Price Type: High-End
Buy This Online: Click Here

Two incredible lenses are included in this bundle, giving you even more ways to share your vision. Attach the included DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens or the 55-200mm telephoto lens and let your imagination take over. With incredible 14.2-megapixel detail, Sony’s Alpha DSLR-A350 raises the bar. This model pushes the envelope, setting a new standard of excellence for step-up digital photographers shooting both family memories and fine-art photos.

Live Preview in a large 2.7-inch LCD screen links you and your subject-and you’ll have special features like super-quick AF response, continuous shooting at 2 fps while you see your subject in the viewfinder, Creative Style modes for quick recall of custom settings, and in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization that reduces blur for every Sony, Carl Zeiss and legacy Minolta a-mount lens.

14.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD

The highest pixel resolution in its class (as of January 2008), for spectacular image detail for making big prints and tight crops. An advanced APS-size CCD imager developed by Sony expands dynamic range and minimizes noise more effectively for clear, sharp photos even at high sensitivity setting (up to ISO 3200).

Live Preview of your subject

The DSLR-A350’s Live Preview mode links you and your subject on a large 2.7-inch LCD screen, for a familiar point-and-shoot style — with super-quick AF response and accurate exposure control to help you catch the perfect moment. In Live Preview mode, the camera bypasses the optical pentaprism mirror to create a live “eye-to-eye” view on the LCD of loved ones, children, pets and fast-changing scenes.

Tiltable, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen

A large built-in screen with 2-way angle tilt provides a sharp, clear view of your subject and tilts up or down for low-angle or high-angle monitoring in situations where you want a child-level or overhead shot.

Continuous shooting while viewing

The DSLR-A350 lets you shoot continuously at up to 2 frames per second while you see your subject in the large 2.7-inch LCD viewfinder, so you never lose track of the action. In JPEG mode, you can shoot up to the limit of your flash memory card; in RAW Burst Mode you can capture up to 4 shots, with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.

Smart teleconverter 2x zoom

At the touch of a button you can zoom in electronically on your subject, reproducing pixels on a 1:1 basis with no degradation in picture quality. One touch zooms in at 1.4X, the second touch advances to 2X zoom — creating the 35mm equivalent of a 200mm telephoto effect with the DSLR-A350’s standard 18-70mm zoom lens.

Expanded ISO sensitivity

A broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 enables the DSLR-A350 to capture beautiful color images even in very dim light — with High ISO Noise Reduction technology that reduces picture noise artifacts at high-sensitivity ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 settings by eliminating noise from RAW data after analog-to-digital conversion.

Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization

Because image stabilization is built into the DSLR-A350, every lens benefits by an advantage of from 2.5 to 3.5 exposure steps. This allows you to shoot effectively with minimum blur even in low light without flash — or adjust exposure control for smaller lens aperture to increase depth of field and bring both foreground and background into sharp focus.

Bionz image processor

The “brain” of the a (alpha) DSLR-A350 is the advanced Sony Bionz Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, improved white balance and exposure control, and expanded D-Range Optimizer capabilities. With 2-channel data transfer from CCD to processor, your camera can also respond faster.

1200-zone evaluative metering Information from the image sensor dedicated to Live View is divided into 1200 zones of luminance and RGB color information. In addition D-Range Optimizer technology contributes to judge the scene and then determine the optimum exposure to reproduce images with a more natural look.

Dynamic Range Optimizer

To improve results with backlit subjects and recover details hidden in shadows or lost in glare, the DSLR-A350 provides Dynamic Range Optimizer at two levels: Normal DRO, to improve detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.

Anti-dust technology

Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera — so to keep the CCD imager cleaner for better pictures, the DSLR-A350 utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

Auto Pop-up flash

The camera flash automatically pops up and fires when needed, to help first-time DSLR photographers shoot more effectively. Auto Pop-up works in Auto mode and some scene selection modes; Flash is cancelled in Landscape, Sport or Sunset modes and in “Flash Off” position on the Exposure Mode dial.

Eye-Start Autofocus System

It begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye — so unlike some DSLR cameras that don’t start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed, the Sony DSLR-A350 never slows down your ability to catch fast action.

9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor

A fast focus motor and improved focus control help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, with predictive focus control that automatically calculates the position of a fast-moving subject.

Scene Selection Modes

Along with auto exposure, the DSLR-A350 gives you scene selection modes to optimize camera performance for Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View situations.

Creative Style Settings

To express your creativity and personal taste, you can adjust contrast, saturation and sharpness settings for any of 8 finishing styles — including Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B&W and Adobe RGB modes.

Index and Slide Show Display

To quickly review your photos, the DSLR-A350 can display 4, 9 or 25-frame index views — or present automatic slide shows with fade-in/fade-out effect.

High-resolution thumbnails for PhotoTV HD viewing

The DSLR-A350 automatically creates high-resolution thumbnail images for viewing on Sony’s BRAVIA HDTV in optimized PhotoTV HD mode, with image format adjustable for standard 3:2 or widescreen 16:9 display.

Function Guide Display

On-screen menus are intuitive and easy to use — and a simple Camera Function Display can be activated and operated with one hand using the “Fn” (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

Stamina Battery Power

In optical viewfinder mode, you can take up to 730 shots3 on a fully-charged NP-FM500H InfoLithium battery — and you’ll be able to see about how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

High-Capacity Media Options

For conveniently storing and sharing your images, the DSLR-A350 accepts CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick Pro Duo media.

Optional advanced lenses and accessories

Sony’s Alpha system gives you everything you need to expand your creativity in DSLR photography: precision Sony DT zoom lenses and specialty lenses, Sony “G” Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss lens designs, professional-quality flash units, and over 16 million Minolta a-mount lenses sold worldwide.

Photos of Camera

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Camera Photo Sample

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Manufacturer Claims

14.2 megapixel Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) camera - body only. Supreme imaging quality plus tilting screen with Quick AF Live View for responsive, flexible shooting. In-body Super SteadyShot gives effective anti-shake performance with all Sony or Konica Minolta ?-mount lenses.

  • Extremely high resolution 14.2 effective megapixel CCD sensor for superbly detailed images with rich tones and vibrant color
  • Large, high-resolution 2.7-inch LCD with 2-way tilt adjustment for shooting freedom and comfort at any angle
  • Quick AF Live View for fast, accurate autofocus and responsive AF performance even with fast-moving objects
  • Optimised BIONZ processor for enhanced picture quality, reduced image noise and responsive operation
  • High sensitivity up to ISO3200 with selectable high-ISO noise reduction for successful handheld shooting in low light without flash
  • Evolved D-Range Optimiser adjusts brightness and contrast for beautifully-exposed backlit scenes
  • Enhanced Super SteadyShot image stabilisation offers 2.5-3.5 steps anti-shake performance with all ?-mount lenses or Konica Minolta ?-mount lenses
  • Large 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD with easy-to-use function display and percentage battery life indicator
  • Improved 9-point centre cross AF with EyeStart activation for fast, accurate focusing
  • Bright, clear optical viewfinder with wide field of view
  • Smart Teleconverter gives instant zoom of 1.4x or 2x with no reduction in image quality
  • Continuous shooting at up to 2.5 fps with optical viewfinder/up to 2 fps in live view mode
  • High-capacity InfoLITHIUM battery allows up to 730 shots between charges (using viewfinder) with % display of power remaining (CIPA measurement)
  • Dual anti-dust system protects sensor during lens exchange

via source

Detailed Specifications

Weights and Measurements

  • Dimensions (Approx.) : (WHD) 5 1/4″ x 4″ x 3″ (130.8 x 98.5 x 74.7 mm)
  • Weight (Approx.) : 1 lb. 4.5 oz (582g) body, not including battery, lens and media

Convenience

  • Burst Mode : Max 2.5FPS with viewfinder. 2FPS in live view mode., Shooting Capacity: JPEG (L size, Fine): Until memory card is full. RAW: 4 frames. RAW + JPEG: 3 frames.
  • Color Mode(s) : Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, Black & White, Adobe RGB (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)
  • Red-Eye Reduction : On/Off (all modes)
  • Self Timer : Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
  • White Balance : Auto plus 8 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Tempature/Color filter, Custom), each with +/-3 adjustable step.

Hardware

  • LCD : Tiltable 2.7″1 TFT (230k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo™ design
  • Microphone : N/A
  • Viewfinder : Optical: TTL, 0.74x magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; 95% coverage

Power

  • Battery Capacity : 7.2V, 1600 mAh; CIPA standard: approx. 730 pictures
  • Battery Type : NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery

General

  • Imaging Device : 14.2 (effective) APS CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter
  • Megapixel : 14.2MP

Convenience Features

    AF Illuminator Light : Yes, On/Off Select

    Clear RAW NR : N/A

  • Histogram Display : Yes - RGB, playback only
  • Live View : Yes
  • Movie Mode(s) : N/A
  • Multi-Pattern Measuring : 40 Segment, Center Weighted, Spot
  • Scene Mode(s) : Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait

Processor

  • BIONZ™ Engine : Yes (LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+))

Optics/Lens

  • EV Compensation : ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps
  • Exposure : Manual Exposure: Yes, w/EV indicator, Manual Exposure: Yes; Aperture/Shutter Priority, Manual, Program Shift: Yes, Command Dial
  • Focus : Auto Focus: TTL Phase Detection, Multi-point: 9 Area, 8 Line, 1 Cross Sensor, Auto Focus Mode: Yes, Adjustable Spot AF: Selectable Sensor, Visual Focus Confirm: Direct via Spherical Acute Matte Screen
  • ISO : Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200
  • Lens Type : Interchangeable A-mount
  • Shutter Speed : 1/4000 to 30 sec., Bulb

Software

  • Operating System Compatibility : Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh® OS X (v 10.3 or later). OS must be installed at the factory.
  • Supplied Software : Image Data Converter SR ver.2.0, Image Data Lightbox SR ver.1.0, (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser Ver.2.1.02 (Windows only)

Operating Conditions

  • Flash Effective Range : GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)
  • Flash Mode(s) : Built-in Auto Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F42AM)

Inputs and Outputs

  • Output(s) : Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable
  • USB Port(s) : Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed

Service and Warranty Information

  • Limited Warranty : 1 Year Parts & Labor

Posted July 18th, 2008 in DSLR, Extended Zoom, High-End, 11 and above, 10x and above, Sony by Hannah.
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Hi there, this is Hannah and I maintain this digital camera review blog of mine. Welcome to my site, I do hope the camera related articles are of use, providing you with unbiased digital camera reviews, advice, and prices. I am here to help you find the right camera. Feel free to leave your mark by commenting and do contact me for any inquiries. Thank you for visting this small blog of mine.

 

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