DSLR-A350X - how is it for entry level DSLR user?

[psdcrdsc]

hi,

looking at going into DSLR, previously using W1 cybershot.

how is the A350 faring for a entry level DSLR? any major issues so far?

there seems no sticky on the A200,A300 or A350

TIA

[reaper3075]

Originally Posted by psdcrdsc hi, looking at going into DSLR, previously using W1 cybershot. how is the A350 faring for a entry level DSLR? any major issues so far? there seems no sticky on the A200,A300 or A350 TIA

maybe you should do a forum search, Im sure there are many topics discussed on this previously.

anyways, among all entry level cameras available in the market, the A350 is probably somewhere at the top of the range, with good resolution, 14mp? and a better live view with tiltable screen. as all sony DSLRs, it has good ergonomics and is very user friendly.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by psdcrdsc hi, looking at going into DSLR, previously using W1 cybershot. how is the A350 faring for a entry level DSLR? any major issues so far? there seems no sticky on the A200,A300 or A350 TIA

The A350 is considered one of the best entry-level DSLR cameras on the market.

But do you even need live view? If not, the A200 is fantastic, and many pros on dpreview actually really love the output in RAW from it's sensor. Anandtech loves it too. And you get a bigger viewfinder than on the A300/A350 since it doesn't have to compromise the viewfinder for Live View.

[Galdor]

Just a short comment of my view of the cams:

A200 - good if you do not need live view.
A300 - comes with live view but lower resolution. Better noise control than the A350 since it has lower resolution. Slighter faster FPS in burst mode.
A350 - comes with live view like the A300 and has better resolution which is good if you do crop your pictures.
A700 - slightly more expensive than the cameras mentioned above (since the price drop). But it's worth every penny spend on this cam. Although it doesn't come with live view, the build of the cam is very solid.

[synapseman]

The A350 is an EXCELLENT camera, great for beginners, yet sophisticated enough for you to grow with for quite a while.

I photograph weddings, and use the A700 with 16-80 standard lens to capture the majority of images. But with my 2nd body, the A350, I mount other lenses like 50/1.4, 70-200/2.8, 10-20mm etc and with Live View, I can get my really creative shots in.

[cy_j]

The live view is a great tool, which you will grow into. Some may say they don't care for it, but personally, it's an awesome tool.

Are you into streeet photography? Get the tiltable-screened A350

[psdcrdsc]

thanks guys.

scanned around for reviews of A350, seen some good reviews. just wanted to hear some hands on comments from gurus here.

mind quite set on the A350 bundle. live view is quite essential for me as it will help me transit into dslr from my point n shoot w1. haha

[Anson]

May I ask a question on the A350 to the it's user, how "bad" is the noise issue on the camera in real life usage with reference to the ISO used?

Care to share your option on this topic? Thanks.

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by Anson May I ask a question on the A350 to the it's user, how "bad" is the noise issue on the camera in real life usage with reference to the ISO used? Care to share your option on this topic? Thanks.

Noise tolerance depends on individual. For me, I find that anything below ISO 800 is very decent. Besides there are so many noise reduction softwares in the market now, so not an issue with noise. Personally, I do not really use high ISO. So far i've only used ISO 800 for less than 5 times and mostly i shoot using ISO 100-400.

[phethaky]

I recommend that you buy the body only...the kit lens you can get cheap from the bros/sis here......I bought the bundle when it first came out...and I think the the kit lens got used about 5 times max.......I believe other people here will share the same sentiment.

[maximize]

me still using my kit lens... same here.. bought the twin bundle... but its definitely a good startout kit... probably buy the body and then get the 18-250... i am now stuck with my kit lens... but to be fair.. they are good lens esp for newbies...

i got a200... couldnt afford a350 when it first release... now regret... live view with tilting screen does help sometimes...

[Anson]

Originally Posted by Galdor Noise tolerance depends on individual. For me, I find that anything below ISO 800 is very decent. Besides there are so many noise reduction softwares in the market now, so not an issue with noise. Personally, I do not really use high ISO. So far i've only used ISO 800 for less than 5 times and mostly i shoot using ISO 100-400.

Another question from me, how "good"/"bad" are the photo in ISO 1600 & above native from the camera. I know there are software for NR, but you still need to have a "acceptable" photo to start with....

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Anson Another question from me, how "good"/"bad" are the photo in ISO 1600 & above native from the camera. I know there are software for NR, but you still need to have a "acceptable" photo to start with....

Good enough... Many samples on DPreview (review and forums)

[Anson]

Originally Posted by Rashkae Good enough... Many samples on DPreview (review and forums)

Thanks I already saw the photos on the site, was wondering about the real world ISO usage from the users of the camera.


Sometime it really make me wonder with a unique LiveView feature on the A300 & A350, why can't they have a LiveView fuction on their mid & pro camera series?

[solomon76]

Hi i am a A200 user.

I do use ISO 3200 for photoshooting. I would say its quite acceptable. In fact i use it in dark place and coupled with my 17-50 MM F2.8 it still looks fine.



But of course if you are very particular about having clean images even at 1:1 zoom then it may not be your cup of tea :P

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Anson Sometime it really make me wonder with a unique LiveView feature on the A300 & A350, why can't they have a LiveView fuction on their mid & pro camera series?

Because the mid and pro cameras use a pentaprism to give you a huge, clear, bright viewfinder. The a300/a350 viewfinder is only a pentamirror, which allows the use of the secondary sensor. It's a compromise, and Sony (correctly) figured that a fantastic viewfinder is more important to pros than LiveView.

[psdcrdsc]

wonder if i get the body + DT 18-200mm lens, is it a good buy compared to the DSLR-A350X bundle?

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by psdcrdsc wonder if i get the body + DT 18-200mm lens, is it a good buy compared to the DSLR-A350X bundle?

I'd avoid the 18-200. The 18-250 is a much better lens. If you don't need that much of a zoom, the CZ 16-80 is a real killer lens.

[maximize]

Originally Posted by Rashkae I'd avoid the 18-200. The 18-250 is a much better lens. If you don't need that much of a zoom, the CZ 16-80 is a real killer lens.

yah.. i agree... CZ 16-80 is really good... veri sharp image...

[synapseman]

Originally Posted by maximize yah.. i agree... CZ 16-80 is really good... veri sharp image...

but sometimes, too much of a good thing is also not good.

When I use the CZ1680 to take close-up portraits, it REALLY shows up all the pores, pimples and imperfections on the model, and when you look at the pic, these seem even more apparent than they do in real life!

However, for really large group shots, it's great cos you can positively identify all the faces, even at the corners!