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Sony alpha DSLR-A350 SLR Digital Camera Kit (14.2MP, 4592x3056, CompactFlash/Microdrive Card Slot)
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- Spec Navigator
- Image Processor
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
- Warranty
- Tags
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 14.9 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 4592 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 3056 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
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| Number of resolution modes | 6 |
| White balance |
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Exposure Controls
| Bulb setting | Yes |
| ISO equivalencies |
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| Exposure settings |
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| Exposure compensation range | 2 |
| Metering characteristics |
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| Number of scene modes | 6 |
Flash
| Flash characteristics |
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Lens Features
| Camera body only | Yes |
| Minimum focal length | 18 |
| Maximum focal length | 70 |
| Minimum aperture | 36 |
| Maximum aperture | 3.5 |
| Minimum focus distance | 15 |
| Lens mount | Interchangeable |
| Focus features |
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High Resolution Lets You Make Large Prints With Ease
Even for a digital SLR, this camera has a high megapixel count: Anything past 13 megapixels is capable of handling serious large-format image printing. Such cameras can easily knock out 22-by-36-inch prints without significant degradation in sharpness or detail, and prints preserve a great deal of sharpness even at 32 by 48 inches. Images captured at these resolutions require a lot of storage on your camera and on your computer. A speedy processor is essential, too. As the pixel count on an image sensor increases, so does its propensity to produce images plagued by noise--ugly speckling patterns. To avoid noise, look for a camera with the lowest pixel count that still serves your output needs.
Medium Continuous Shooting Speed
When a camera is in burst (or drive) mode, it will continue to shoot as long as you hold down the shutter button. How quickly a particular model takes pictures in this mode depends on its continuous shooting speed, measured in number of frames per second (fps). This SLR has a moderate continuous shooting speed. With a burst speed of 2 to 4 fps, a camera stands a better chance of recording a series of subtle changes in expression when photographing people, and it is much more likely to capture decisive sports and entertainment moments.
Optical/CCD Image Stabilization
Some cameras rely on lens-based optical image stabilization. This camera, however, employs sensor-based stabilization, which works by moving the camera’s internal image sensor to compensate for shake. A charge-coupled device (CCD) within the camera body handles the image shifting. Optical image stabilization is very useful when you're taking pictures with a telephoto lens or trying to capture high-zoom shots; in both of these situations, even a very slight shake will result in a blurry image. CCD-based image stabilization can save you money because it doesn't require a special lens for stabilizing images (stabilized lenses usually cost more than nonstabilized lenses).
RAW Image Format
RAW is an uncompressed format for preserving graphics files. Smaller than TIFF files, RAW files often permit restoration of images that have overexposed highlight areas; also, you can ensure that your camera will store the full range of color it captures. You'll need special software on your computer to deal with RAW files, and shooting in RAW format can slow down your SLR. Some cameras with RAW capabilities let you choose from among several resolutions, so you can shoot RAW files at smaller pixel dimensions. That way, if you don’t need the full resolution of your camera, you can shoot RAW photos while saving space on your card.
JPEG Image Format
All digital cameras can capture JPEG images. The JPEG compression process greatly reduces the amount of storage an image requires, and JPEG images transfer quickly from your camera to your computer. JPEG compression is a lossy algorithm, however, which means that saving an image in JPEG format degrades its quality. The high-quality JPEG settings on most cameras are quite good, and it's difficult to spot differences between a JPEG compressed image and a noncompressed image. Still, if you like to edit your images, you may want to upgrade to a camera that also supports a noncompressed (lossless) format, such as TIFF or RAW.
Supports Center-Weight Metering
The light meter controls how long the shutter stays open and how large the aperture is--two variables that are critical to image quality. The default meter on most cameras is a matrix meter, which divides your scene into a grid, gauges the light in each cell of the grid, and then averages the results to come up with a final metering value for the shot. This SLR, however, uses a center-weight meter, which works like a matrix meter but pays more attention to the cells at the center of the viewfinder. This approach to metering can help greatly with backlighting complications.
Supports Spot Metering
A camera's light meter controls how long the shutter stays open and how large the aperture is--two variables that are critical to image quality. This SLR features spot metering. A spot meter gauges the necessary aperture and exposure time for a shot by measuring one spot in the scene you are photographing--usually a very small one. A spot meter is useful for dealing with backlighting complications and scenes that have a very wide dynamic range (a big variation in brightness or darkness) because it ensures that the exposure will be appropriate for certain specific details in the scene.
Fast Shutter Speed
A camera has two mechanisms for controlling how much light hits the sensor: the aperture, which opens and closes like the iris in your eye; and the shutter, which determines how long the sensor will be exposed to light. Depending on how fast the camera can open and close its shutter, you’ll be able to freeze fast-moving motion more precisely or less precisely. This model's fast shutter speed makes it ideal for capturing pictures at sporting events, in nature, and in moving water. You still have the option of shooting at slower shutter speeds to create blurred motion, if you wish.
Average User Reviews for Sony alpha DSLR-A350 SLR Digital Camera Kit (14.2MP, 4592x3056, CompactFlash/Microdrive Card Slot)
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
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Reviewed by: Crimsonbelt
Duration of ownership: 3 Months
Strengths: Fastest focus Perfect metering Excellent Live View and flipable LCD Best image quality Very good battery life Solid feels
Weaknesses: Not at all.
Overall: Superior performance!
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: jonalind
Strengths: tiltable 2.7 in live view screenanti shake feature
Weaknesses: Auto-focus can be a drain on the battery
Overall: One GREAT! and VERY nice camera. Took out of box and began shooting excellent photos right off the bat. I did have to read the instructions to see what a couple of the control were and how to get to a couple of things.Excellent feel of the camera, Excellent location of control buttons.Love the anti-shaking, and live view.
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Reviewed by: dcorbell21236
Strengths: The weight of this camera is very even when holding with the grip. Very easy to use. The Live View is GREAT!!!
Weaknesses: The noise level in low light, but the Canon Xsi has the same problem.
Overall: I was using a Canon PowerShot Pro 1 series camera. I had been thinking about the DSLR's and I am glad I waited for this camera to come around.Even though I was taking great shots with the Canon, I needed a larger formated picture since I shoot alot in Macro. I do love the detail I achive with this camera when shooting nature, flowers etc.I was looking at the Canon Xsi 12.1, but comparing the 2 I found the Canon to be nose heavy when holding with one hand and that counts for alot with me on some of my shots. I also think it's great to have the image stability built into the camera, that will save me hundreds of dollars since I don't have look for a lens that has it built into it.Overall I very pleased with my purchase of the Sony A350, for a middle of the road DSLR you can't go wrong in my opinion
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Reviewed by: sprinkunc
Strengths: very easy to use, accepts lenses from my minolta 35mm, sony software easy to use. lots of "high tech" for the price.
Weaknesses: pictures are not as crystal clear as i hoped they would be.
Overall: i have been using a minolta 35mm slr for years, and finally decided to upgrade to digital. i was very excited at the features available at this price. i bought it w/ the kit lens only because it was available at the same price as body-alone. i have read some poor reviews on the 18-70mm kit lens that comes with the camera. i hope to upgrade soon. i have not gotten any of my pictures developed yet, but the ones i have put up on screen are not razor sharp like i hoped they would be. i don't know if that is from my lack of time with the camera, or possibly the lens? i did expect 14+ megapixel images to be sharper than they have been so far. overall, happy with the camera and would definitely buy again.
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Reviewed by: trebie
Strengths: great picture quality simple for even an idiot to use
Weaknesses: auto settings always change back to the default
Overall: ok my pictures are of birds and other things and i can catch even the wind blowin the feathers i got a 420-800 mechanical lense attached to it and it shoots great pictures with that lense
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