What distinguishes Alpha 350 of the top dogs from Canon and Nikon?
First, the Alpha has a less appealing haptic impression. Except for the rubber grip coating it is completely made of smooth plastic and in particular the cover of the memory card cover and the lens housing act little wertig - touches you about the Objektivhausung fingernails of the right hand (and that happens inevitably when shooting), it rings hollow and cheap , To assume of course that it was not made of thin plastic profile, but it does seem - like Japanese cars of the 1980s. At the same time is the Alpha well balanced in the hand and the rubberized area can be said even with clammy hands. Conclusion: Application properly - affective impression a bit poor.
More real disadvantages you can not cite seriously.
The Live View mode costs more power and the battery is therefore not as long as keeps in older DSRL cameras, is not a disadvantage. The mode can be deactivated and in most cases you will do the same - still good to have him.
A great plus is the autostart when you approaches the viewfinder with the eye. So you can always start the camera: You turn off after about defining time off automatically - it bounces back on itself. Prima!
The anti-shake (Super SteadyShot) works perfectly and is integrated into the housing. Ultimately, most lenses are without stabilizer also not cheaper, but just in the lower price segment that brings a few advantages.
The folding screen is also rarely needs well, but the quality and brilliance of the image reproduction are for viewing properly. And once has to be worked out, then that's just as well.
Is a pity that Sony now assembled onsite lenses after the transition. Whether here Zeiss lenses are mounted without Logo, just so Sony positioned it as an accessory in the top segment, is questionable. By default, the lens is good good, especially since his field is larger than competitive products. Who compares prices for a Zeiss Vario Tessar and a Sigma / Tamron, understands that it is not for marketing reasons, a camera kit of selling on the housing and lens are at least same price. Who really good kit lens but do not like, may indeed buy the naked body.
The often-maligned slowness of the Alpha 350 is negligible. Amateur photographer: When would you ever shoot incredibly long series image series, especially in RAW format, then place in 3 "only" 2, x pictures you spoil the performance of the camera? That's nonsense. Those who want to press, needs a different equipment. Especially since you betting makes good stuff, if you have a new IV CompactFlash card accepts: So here also prefer 2GB quickly, instead of 4GB slowly. On Memory Stick Pro Duo you should completely refrain for this reason, which is for mobile phones etc.
Summary: A truly successful camera that (semi) combines actually in many areas professional performance with "Point-and-shoot" -Ansprüchen. An AMG-Mercedes is good but also good for the weekly shopping and if necessary he reserves - a behavior that is not offered by the Ferrari and the Astra Caravan maybe not for other reasons.
The only drawback: A magnesium housing - and then 50, - ask for more ...
