Sony Alpha 380

Sony Alpha 380 Features

• 14.2 MP with APS-C sensor
• Sensitivity: 100-3200 ISO
• 40-point exposure matrix
• Dynamic Range Optimization (DRO) to ensure good exposure in high-contrast situations
• Shutter speed 30s – 1/400s
• BIONZ processor
• Dust-cleaning of the sensor
• In-body stabilization
• “Smart teleconverter” mode: “digital zoom” which gives an additionnal x1.4 or x2 at the press of a button (to go further than the optical zoom, but at the expense of image resolution)
• Viewfinder with xx% coverage and 0,__x magnification
• 9-point (with central cross) AF system
• LiveView mode
• Quick AF LiveView, to provide a good AF in LiveView mode
• Continuous shooting: 2.5 fps (out of LiveView mode) or 2 fps (in LiveView mode)
• 7 creative styles, 6 scenes and 3 programmable modes
• HDMI output
• Tiltable 2.7″ LCD screen (690,000 pixels)
• Nicer LCD color interface (with a choice of 4 colour themes)
• On-screen Help Guide
• Weight: 490g

Sony Alpha 380 List price

• 750 € / $ 800 / £ 000 (body only)
• 800 € / $ 850 / £ 000 in kit with 18-55mm zoom
• 1000 € / $ 1100 / £ 000 in double kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm zooms
• From June 2009
• Buy it from B&H (The Professional’s Source)
• Buy from Amazon

Sony Alpha 380

Sony Alpha 380 Reviews

• In English:
  • Tech Radar review of the A380
  • CNET Asia first take
  • AlphaMountWorld.com: New Sony Alpha A230, A330, A380 Previews
  • Photoclub Alpha (The Sony Alpha 380 review)
  • DPreview (review)
  • CNet review of the A380
  • Camera Labs: Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 intro
  • PhotoReview
  • Photo Answers: review and video
  • Photo Answers: A380 review
  • Digital Photography School: Sony Alpha A380 DSLR Review
• En français :
  • Chasseur d’Images n° 314 – Juin 2009 ??? (présentation des Alpha 230/330/380 sur Photim)
  • Réponses Photo n° 207H – Juin 2009 (présentation des Alpha 230/330/380)
  • Le photographe n°1675 – juillet-août 2009 : “Sony Alpha 380 – Concentré sur l’essentiel“
  • Réponses Photo n° 209 – août 2009
• En español :
  • Let’s Go Digital: prueba de Sony Alpha 380

Autofocus technology

Usually, the LiveView mode is done merely by moving the reflex mirror up. The image is then projected onto the single image sensor of the phot camera (like it is done in the point and shoot cameras). But in this case, the little AF sensor is no longer able to work. The main image sensor is used. Instead of the best phase detection algorithms, the camera must used a less powerful micro-contrast detection approach.

Sony decided to opt for another solution, more innovative. The AF sensor (4) is always kept in full operation (the reflex mirror (3) is not moved up). Instead, when going in LiveView mode, a small viewfinder mirror (1) is used to direct the view either toward the eye cup, or toward a LiveView video sensor (2). Everything is visible on the Flash animation below.