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…

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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.

Adobe has upgraded Photoshop Lightroom to version 2.4. You can download the free updates for both Windows and Macintosh versions from Adobe. Support for the following cameras has been added from Lightroom 2.3 to 2.4:

• Canon EOS 500D/Rebel T1i
• Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
• Nikon D5000
• Olympus E-450
• Olympus E-620
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
• Pentax K-7
• Sigma DP2
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Further Windows and Macintosh software enhancements in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.4 include: (more…)

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.