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. Canon 5D
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 included. One set is taken from the same location using the 50mm lens. In that configuration the full-size sensor 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 camera moved closer to the image to try to maintain the same point of view. Despite the different fields of view, all Canon 5D cropped images are still maintained at 230x300 pixels.
Links to the full JPEG images are also available on each camera sensitivity crop by clicking on the crop image. 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.
Same Shooting Position
Like the K20D, color on the full-frame Canon 5D is somewhat warm at the Tungsten preset compared to the cooler and more accurate rendition of the Sony A350. Whites are also somewhat warmer on the 5D under Tungsten than the K20D. The Canon 5D would also likely benefit from custom white balance under Tungsten lighting.
| ISO Comparison - Sony vs. Canon (Same Shooting Position) | ||
| ISO | Sony A350 | Canon 5D |
| 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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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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Like the K20D, color on the full-frame Canon 5D is somewhat warm at the Tungsten preset compared to the cooler and more accurate rendition of the Sony A350. Whites are also somewhat warmer on the 5D under Tungsten than the K20D. The Canon 5D would also likely benefit from custom white balance under Tungsten lighting.
Noise in the A350 images is controlled well up to ISO 800, and the images compare very well to the Canon 5D images. At ISO 1600 the full-frame Canon 5D exhibits lower noise, but the A350 image is still very usable. At ISO 3200, the 5D still produced usable low-noise images, but quality is lower than ISO 1600 on the 5D. At ISO 3200, the images from the A350 would still be usable for web posting or small prints as color remains accurate, but larger prints are not really an option at the highest ISO speed. Noise is also becoming more obvious in the Canon 5D images, but noise from the full-frame 5D at ISO 3200 (H setting) is much lower than we see in the A350 at 3200. This is as expected given the larger photosites of the Canon 5D.
Equivalent Field of View
| ISO Comparison - Sony vs. Canon (Same Field of View) | ||
| ISO | Sony A350 | Canon 5D |
| 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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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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113 Comments
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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.