Sony A350: Full-Time Live View at 14.2MP
by Wesley Fink on April 3, 2008 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Resolution and Sensitivity Tests - Sony A350 vs. Pentax K20D
All crops represent a view of 230x300 actual pixels cropped from the larger 14.2, 14.6, or 12.2MP images. The crop area on the 1.5X multiplier Sony A350 and Pentax K20D are represented by the red rectangle on the full image above. Since the Canon 5D is a full-size sensor the coverage of the 50mm is greater on the 5D than the two 1.5X multiplier sensors. Therefore two sets of crops and full images are presented for the 5D. One set is taken from the same location and the 50mm lens provides a greater field of view on the 5D than on the 1.5X multiplier cameras. The second set of 5D images were shot with the same camera and 50mm lens moved closer to the image to try to maintain the same field of view. Despite the different fields of view, all Canon 5D cropped images are still maintained at 230x300 pixels. The comparison to the Canon 5D sensor is presented on the next page.
Links to the full JPEG images are also available on each camera sensitivity crop. These files are huge, but they can be downloaded for those who wish to view the actual images or explore EXIF data embedded in each image. A shareware EXIF viewer, OPanda IEXIP 2, is available at for download at Opanda.
| ISO Comparison - Sony vs. Pentax | ||
| ISO | Sony A350 | Pentax K20D |
| 100 |  |
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| 200 |  |
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| 400 |  |
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| 800 |  |
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| 1600 |  |
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| 3200 |  |
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| 6400 |  |
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Click on any of the above image crops for the full image. Note: Full size images are between 3.5MB and 11.4MB! |
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The Sony A350 exhibits very accurate color with the tungsten setting at all ISO settings. Noise is well controlled through ISO 800, with little increase in noise. By ISO 1600 we begin to see increased noise, but considering the crops are larger on screen than a 20x16 enlargement we supsect the images would still be very useful at ISO 1600 even for enlargements. By ISO 3200, noise has become an issue, but color is still very accurate at the Tungsten preset under tungsten light. ISO 3200 images are usable for small prints but are much too noisy for enlargements. The K20D noise is well controlled through ISO 3200. Noise at ISO 6400 is comparable to the Sony A350 at ISO 3200, making images at ISO 6400 useful for small prints only. Color on the Tungsten preset remains warm in some colors with the K20D, much like the Canon 5D crops shown on the next page, but whites are very clean. Custom white balance would probably do a better job than the Tungsten preset on the K20D.
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dug777 - Monday, March 31, 2008 - link
I would also simply suggest using a time-delay shot if you don't have a wireless or wired shutter release :)dug777 - Monday, March 31, 2008 - link
That or they're out of focus?Heidfirst - Monday, March 31, 2008 - link
Interesting review as usual with a more general consumer orientated view as compared to some of the more "specialist" DSLR sites, thank you.A vies notes, if I may:
"For those who wish to buy the body alone, only the A350 ($799) and A700 ($1399) are available without a kit lens"
I realise that Anandtech is USA-centric but also does get significant traffic from other countries - this varies from country to country according to local Sony marketing decisions e.g. if I want to buy an A200 body only in the UK that's not a problem.
Often the street (as opposed to msrp) prices for the basic kit 18-70mm package are so little more than body only though that you may as well get the 18-70 too.
"The layout and pattern is the same as the A200, A300, and earlier A100 suggesting it is the same AF module. The AF speeds on all models also support the conclusion that this is likely the same venerable AF module used in previous Minolta and Sony digital SLRs. "
Sony claim 1.7x faster focussing (probably largely as a result of using a more powerful motor but also a tweaked system).
Probably little has changed because the basic Minolta metering & AF system going back 20 years or so has been a very good base & only required minimal tweaks/upgrades.
Re. the battery:
If you compare Sony NP-FM500H prices it's similar to those for the official Canon, Nikon, Pentax etc. batteries so the issue isn't really the pricing of the official batteries but the unavailability of generic copies.
When I bought my A700 I also bought a spare battery but I've never actually had to use it as battery life has been very good. Extensive Live View use on an A300/A350 may use more I would imagine though.
At least Sony now have a standard battery throughout their DSLR range whereas on Canon & Nikon as you upgrade bodies you change batteries so you can't carry them over but must buy new.