Sony DSLR A380 Review

Sony's DSLR A380 is the top model in a suite of three Alpha DSLR cameras that were announced in late May. Ninety-two grams lighter than its predecessor, the 14.2-megapixel A380 replaces the DSLR-A350 in Sony's line-up. The new camera has been designed for newcomers to SLR photography and boasts a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen, SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilisation and dual slots that accommodate Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (Full functionality is not guaranteed with Memory Stick Duo cards).

Many of the specifications of the new model replicate those of its predecessor - which was reviewed by Photo Review in February 2008 - and the RRPs of both cameras appear to be the same. Both models feature the same sensor resolution, dust reduction system and body-integrated image stabiliser.

The AF system, sensitivity, exposure compensation and white balance presets are unchanged, although the A380 lacks the Kelvin adjustments of its predecessor. Shutter speeds are the same in both models. Both models offer Sony's Quick Autofocus (AF) Live View technology, so users can frame shots on the camera's LCD screen as well as in the optical viewfinder and enjoy fast autofocusing when shooting in Live View mode.

One noteworthy feature that makes the A380 a camera that novice buyers can 'grow' with is the A380's new graphical user interface (GUI). As well as being easy to read, it includes a built-in on-screen Help Guide that shows users the effect of changing aperture and shutter speed settings when the camera is set to the OVF (optical viewfinder) mode.

Margaret Brown

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