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Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 (with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses)

6.8 6.8 10

36 Reviews | About the ZDNet Score

While the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is a solid inexpensive dSLR with a few nice features that will probably satisfy many shooters, it doesn't deliver quite enough on any front to outshine competitors.

Reviews

  • 7.0

    CNET Review

    August 12, 2009 | 2:00 AM PDT

    The Good: Capable of shooting some very nice photos; fast Live View AF and single-shot performance; tiltable LCD; dual card slots; relatively simple, straightforward operation; built-in wireless flash and image stabilization.

    The Bad: Smallish grip; middling viewfinder; color shifts with default settings.

    The Bottom Line: While the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is a solid inexpensive dSLR with a few nice features that will probably satisfy many shooters, it doesn't deliver quite enough on any front to outshine competitors.

    Read the full review

  • 7.2

    alaTest.com

    May 21, 2012 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 173 reviews of Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 from international magazines and websites.

    The Verdict: Experts rate this product 70/100 and users 88/100. Comparing these reviews to 125860 other Digital SLR Cameras reviews gives this product an overall alaScore 72/100 = Good.

    Read the full review

  • 8.3

    digitalslrphoto.com

    May 18, 2010 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: 700 entry-level AMATEUR-LEVEL DIGITAL SLR Sony recently announced three entry-level DSLRs, of which the Alpha 380 is the most highly-specified. Boasting a 14.2-megapixel resolution and featuring a swivel-mounted LCD with Quick AF Live View, the...

    The Verdict: Colours are nicely saturated and contrast is good, while noise isn't an issue until you reach ISO 800, which is when it really starts to become evident. Overall, the Sony delivers a good performance in all departments, with no major problems of note.

    Read the full review

  • 6.0

    gadgetheaven.co.uk

    March 3, 2010 | 12:00 AM PST

    Review Summary: This digital camera is designed to be able to produce favourable results and crisp and clear images for you. The camera is also very easy to use even for people who have never used it before. It has a help guide on the screen and it provides the user...

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  • 6.0

    laptopmag.com

    February 12, 2010 | 12:00 AM PST

    The Verdict: The $699 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is an intuitive, inexpensive DSLR that also happens to take good photos. However, other similarly priced cameras (such as the $599 Pentax K-x) can shoot HD video and are generally faster. Don't want to shoot video? The...

    Read the full review

  • 4.0

    expertreviews.co.uk

    January 2, 2010 | 12:00 AM PST

    Review Summary: The A380 is in danger of getting lost in Sony's digital SLR line up, which includes six models at under £1,000. It's very similar to the A330 but has a 14- rather than a 10-megapixel sensor.

    The Verdict: A few welcome touches, but the 14-megapixel resolution does more to damage image quality than improve it compared with the similar A330.

    Read the full review

  • 8.0

    electronicsme.com

    December 23, 2009 | 12:00 AM PST

    Review Summary: If you're in the market for an entry-level DSLR that's a cut above the average, the Sony Alpha 380 makes an excellent choice. The high resolution sensor, excellent optics of the included kit lens, and in-camera image stabilization add up to a good...

    The Verdict: The Sony A380 is a new 14.2MP digital SLR with an 18-55mm zoom lens...

    Read the full review

  • 7.0

    goodgearguide.com.au

    October 30, 2009 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: Neither bottom-of-the-range DSLR nor semi-professional tool, the Sony Alpha A380 digital camera is aimed squarely at family users and enthusiastic ama...

    The Verdict: The Sony Alpha A380 delivers evenly exposed images with natural colours when left on its default settings. There are further pre-optimised Creative Style settings for those who prefer the more vivid look. We weren't convinced, however, that the...

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    popphoto.com

    October 9, 2009 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: Facing tough competition from 12- to 15-megapixel DSLRs from Canon and Nikon, Sony's new 14.2MP Alpha 380 ($850, street, with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM lens) comes up somewhat short

    Read the full review

  • 8.0

    digicambuyer.co.uk

    September 24, 2009 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: Sony introduces 14.2MP consumer DSLR with tilt screen and Live View

    The Verdict: Though not an inexpensive option for the first timer, the A380 looks better value when its high resolution is considered, plus the fact that when buying the kit lens it's still £80 cheaper than a D5000 body.

    Read the full review

  • 6.0

    pcworld.com

    September 17, 2009 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Read the full review

Price Range: $778.75 - $778.75

  • Manufacturer: Sony
  • Part number: DSLR-A380Y

General

  • Product Type
    Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode
  • Resolution
    14.2 megapixels
  • Optical Sensor Type
    CCD
  • Total Pixels
    14,900,000 pixels
  • Effective Sensor Resolution
    14,200,000 pixels
  • Optical Sensor Size
    15.7 x 23.5mm
  • Field of View Crop Factor
    1.5
  • Sensor Dust Reduction
    Yes
  • Sensor Features
    Dust Reduction (image sensor vibration), Anti-Dust coating
  • Digital Zoom
    2x
  • Image Stabilizer
    Optical (SteadyShot INSIDE)
  • Auto Focus
    TTL phase detection
  • Auto Focus Points (Zones) Qty
    9
  • Image Recording Format
    JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG
  • AV Interfaces
    HDMI

Exposure & White Balance

  • Light Sensitivity
    ISO 3200, ISO 1600, ISO 800, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO auto
  • Exposure Metering
    Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
  • Exposure Metering Zones
    40
  • Exposure Modes
    Program, Bulb, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Manual, Aperture-priority
  • Shooting Programs
    Sports mode, Sunset, Night portrait, Macro, Portrait mode, Landscape
  • Special Effects
    Portrait, Landscape, Vivid, Black & White, Neutral, Sunset, Night View
  • White Balance
    Automatic, Presets, Custom
  • White Balance Presets
    Daylight, Tungsten light, Shade, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash
  • Max Shutter Speed
    1/4000 sec
  • Min Shutter Speed
    30 sec
  • Exposure Compensation
    ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
  • Auto Exposure Bracketing
    3 steps in 1/3 or 2/3 EV steps
  • X-sync Speed
    1/160 sec
  • Exposure Range
    EV 2-20 ( ISO 100 )

Lens System

  • Type
    3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 DT
  • Focus Adjustment
    Manual, Automatic
  • Min Focus Range
    9.8 in
  • Zoom Adjustment
    Manual
  • Filter Size
    55 mm
  • Lens System Mounting
    Minolta A-type

Lens System (2nd)

  • Type
    3.6 x x Zoom lens - 55 mm - 200 mm - F/4.0-5.6
  • Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera
    82.5 - 300mm
  • Min Focus Range
    3 ft
  • Focus Adjustment
    Automatic, Manual
  • Lens Construction
    9 groups / 13 elements
  • Filter Size
    55 mm

Camera Flash

  • Camera Flash
    Pop-up flash
  • Guide Number (m / ISO 100)
    10
  • Flash Modes
    Rear curtain sync, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Auto mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
  • Features
    Wireless off-camera control, Flash +/- compensation, AF illuminator

Additional Features

  • Continuous Shooting Speed
    2.5 frames per second
  • Self Timer Delay
    2 sec, 10 sec
  • Flash Terminal
    Hot shoe
  • Additional Features
    Digital image rotation, Display brightness control, PRINT Image Matching, Saturation control, Date/time stamp, Exif Print support, DPOF support, RGB primary color filter, Digital tele-converter, Digital noise reduction, Histogram display, Automatic display brightness adjustment, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Highlight point display, Camera orientation detection, LCD live view mode, PictBridge support, Shadow point display, Built-in help guide, Sharpness control, Contrast control, USB 2.0 compatibility, Direct print, Eye-Start AF system

Display

  • Type
    2.7 in LCD display
  • Resolution
    230,400 pixels
  • Display Features
    Folding

Connections

  • Connector Type
    1 x HDMI output, 1 x USB
  • Memory Card Slot
    SD card, Memory Stick PRO Duo card

Viewfinder

  • Viewfinder Type
    Optical - Eye-level penta-dach mirror
  • Viewfinder Color Support
    Color
  • Field Coverage
    95%
  • Magnification
    0.74x
  • Dioptric Correction Range
    -2.5 to +1

System Requirements for PC Connection

  • Operating System Support
    Apple Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000 Professional, MS Windows Vista

Miscellaneous

  • Included Accessories
    Video cable, Lens cap, Shoulder strap, Dust cap, Body cap

Software

  • Software
    Sony Image Data Lightbox SR, Drivers & Utilities, Sony Image Data Converter SR, Sony Picture Motion Browser

Battery

  • Supported Battery
    Sony NP-FH50
  • Supported Battery
    1 x Sony NP-FH50 Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )

Memory / Storage

  • Supported Memory Cards
    SDHC Memory Card, SD Memory Card, Memory Stick PRO Duo
  • Image Storage
    RAW JPEG, RAW+Fine RAW 4592 x 3056, RAW+Standard 3408 x 2272, Fine 3872 x 2576, Standard 2896 x 1920, 1920 x 1080

Dimensions & Weight

  • Width
    5 in
  • Depth
    2.8 in
  • Height
    3.8 in
  • Weight
    17.2 oz

Environmental Parameters

  • Min Operating Temperature
    32 °F
  • Max Operating Temperature
    104 °F

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Service & Support
    1 year parts and labor warranty

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