dSLR Dad

Photography Blog has published their own review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Camera:

The Sony A380 is a new 14 megapixel DSLR camera featuring a restyled design and user interface to make it easier to use. Replacing the A350 model, the A380 retains all of its predecessor’s key features, with a 2.7 inch tilting LCD screen, Live View, anti-dust system, ISO range of 100-3200, anti-shake system that’s built into the body, eye-start auto-focus system and Dynamic Range Optimiser. Sitting in the middle of the Sony Alpha range above the entry-level A230 and A330 and below the prosumer A700, the Sony A380 has a street price of around £700 / $850 with the 18-55mm kit lens. Does the A380 offer enough to rival the Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i, Nikon D5000 and Olympus E-620? Mark Goldstein found out…

(more…)

Digital Photography Review has published their traditional all-consuming review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Camera:

When Sony launched the A380’s predecessor, the DSLR-A350, in January 2008 it was arguably one of the best specified cameras in the entry-level segment sporting the highest resolution sensor and an impressive set of features. However, while today, approximately 18 months later, the A380 comes with a specification that is very similar to the A350 (and in some areas even slightly downgraded) all of the competitors in the entry-level segment have inevitably moved on and not only caught up with the Sony but overtaken it quite clearly.

You can read the entire ginormous review at dPreview. dSLR Dads considering this camera should take note that that just because a camera has equivalent specs to the competition on paper, that doesn’t mean it translates to the actual photographs.

LetsGoDigital has published their review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Camera:

To introduce the Sony DSLR-A380 as the successor of the Alpha 350 is definitely a logical step. Although the ’spec driven’ fans were rather disappointed upon getting hold of the technical specifications, it’s not fair to take it out on the Sony A380.

Considering the current market, a 14 Megapixel digital SLR is completely in place, there is by no means a relapse of specifications and on top of that, it’s an entirely new design. The Sony Alpha 380 is a digital SLR camera that you would expect to find in the current DSLR market. Still, we can imagine the consumer had expected just that little extra on some points. This is also how we feel after the technical tests and test in practice…

You can read the entire  Sony A380 review at LetsGoDigital.  Notes I’ve made while flipping through the review:

• Capturing only 2.5 frames-per-second just isn’t good enough anymore.
• Sony removed the Auto Exposure lock button from the A350.
• The quality of the telephoto zoom lens found in kit 2 was disappointing.
• Sony’s Live View Quick AF function is unchanged, but it is still the fastest in class.
• Sony has introduced a built in help guide to answer questions.

I wrote about Popular Photography Magazine’s comparison of the top five affordable dSLR Cameras last fall after the Photokina 2008 trade show. Their article evaluated each camera on the merits of image Quality, Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.  What’s interesting now, after the PMA 2009 Trade Show has concluded, all but one of these cameras (the Olympus Evolt E-520) are still the top affordable dSLRs from each manufacturer. Actually, since the Olympus Evolt E-620 will cost $100 more than the most expensive dSLR in this roundup once it is released, maybe they should just re-publish the entire article for the May 2009 issue?  The contestants are (in alphabetical order):

(more…)

Vote For Your Choice

It’s that time of year again. Time to push out one year and bring in another. And on this, the last day of 2008, I offer up the nominees for dSLR Dad Camera of the Year 2008 (listed in chronological order): (more…)