Sony Alpha 230/330/380 Entry Level Digital SLR Camera

Sony release new generation of DSLR entry level with different concept from its predecessor. These three new cameras is not much change from the technical quality side.

Before the newest Alpha models announced, sony release three Alpha series 230/330/380 as refreshner for Alpha 200/300/500 line. These three new cameras was built with more modern design. Every camera body corner created to be more rounded so it looks ‘pretty’ . With the smallest body size, the weight of these three cameras is lighter so it will be more comfortable for amateur users when using on the road.

These three cameras has the same operating concept. The three has camera controller button, menu structure, and the same operating mechanism. In design, the only difference is the color. A230 body is all black, while the 330 and 380 use duo tone colors, black and gray.

The Same Sensor

These three cameras using the same CCD type sensor. And the resolution is not far different, if Alpha 230 and 330 presented 10 MegaPixel, Alpha 380 give us 14 MegaPixel resolution.

Other feature wich still remains is 2.7 inch LCD size with 230.000 pixels. Compare to the competitors, the LCD size is a little outdated. But what it makes interesting is you can pull out the LCD screen to change the position to vertical.

SD Card instead CompactFlash

As the new entry level Digital SLR Camera, Alpha 230/330/380 has  two memory slots. First slot for SD Card type, and the 2nd slot for Memory Stick. Compatible with high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC media for convenient storage and sharing of your images.  Sony keep the Memory Stick slot since is a Sony brand. But i have no idea why Sony use SD Card than CompactFlash.

Express Live View and SteadyShot image stabilization

Sony applying Image Stabilizer technology called SteadyShot INSIDE™.  SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization works with every lens, including Sony zoom, advanced Sony G-Series, pro-quality Carl Zeiss® lens designs and Minolta ±-mount lenses.

Sony has Live View technology which works vey good. In Live View Mode, autofocus work very fast. This happen because Sony use separate sensor to play the Liew View feature. But Alpha 230 has not this function yet.

Even the Live View work with very good, sony does not implement the video recorder feature for these three cameras. This reason maybe Sony using CCD sensor type which is less suitable for recording moving images.

User Friendly

As the enrty level DSLR intended for amateur photographers, the operational concept for this cameras implement a simpler concept than its predecessor. The controller buttons designed with ergonomic and simple. Too bad Sony removing Image Stabilization button.

Camera menu was made obvious. Camera parameters displayed on LCD screen is very informative and easy to understand. This things will bring more benefits to beginners, but for experienced proffesional user who usually uses AF sensor will be more complicated when using this camera. To choose one AF active sensor, you can’t use cross-menu button like Alpha 350. To do this first you must enter into camera function. Thus the existance of 11 active point will become less effective.

Camera Performance

There are little change from the image result of 200 compared to 230. The collors reproducion is more living, the speed of Alpha 230 also improved.

For the top model from the three cameras Alpha 380 is more better in pcture quality. In noise factor is still low at ISO 400. Start from ISO 1600, noise intensity is getting higher.

Pros : Easy to use, menu strucure is clear and easy to understand, good colors reproductin

Cons : Noise is too high at high ISO level

This cameras recommended for amateurs photographer who need easy and simple operation.

Sony A230, A330 and A380 specifications

	A230	A330	A380
Price	• $550 (one lens kit) • $750 (two lens kit)	• $650 (one lens kit) • $850 (two lens kit)	• $850 (one lens kit) • $1050 (two lens kit)
Sensor	• 10.2 million effective pixels • 10.8 million total pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD sensor • 1.5x FOV crop • RGB primary color filter	• 10.2 million effective pixels • 10.8 million total pixels • 23.5 x 15.7 mm CCD sensor • 1.5x FOV crop • RGB primary color filter	• 14.2 million effective pixels • 14.9 million total pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD sensor • 1.5x FOV crop • RGB primary color filter
Anti-dust measures	• Sensor shake system • Static-free anti-dust coating
Image Stabilization	• SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization
Image sizes	• 3872 x 2592 • 3872 x 2176 • 2896 x 1936 • 2836 x 1632 • 1920 x 1280 • 1920 x 1088		• 4592 x 3056 • 4592 x 2576 • 3408 x 2272 • 3408x 1920 • 2288 x 1520 • 2288 x 1280
Image quality	• RAW • RAW + JPEG • JPEG Fine • JPEG Normal
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Lens mount	• Sony Alpha lenses (also compatible with Minolta and Konica, Minolta AF lenses)
Autofocus	• 9-point AF
Autofocus Modes	• Single-Shot AF • Continuous AF • Automatic AF • Manual focus/ Auto Selectable
AF Area mode	• Wide • Spot • Local
Focus Features	• Predictive control • Focus lock • Eye-start AF
AF Assist	Pop-up flash strobes
Exposure mode	• Programmed auto (P) with flexible program • Shutter-priority auto (S) • Aperture priority auto (A) • Manual (M) • Auto • Auto Flash Off • 6 Scene Modes
Metering	TTL metering: • 40 Segment • Honey-Pattern SPC
Exposure compensation	• +/- 2.0 EV • 1/3 EV steps
Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200
Shutter	• 30 to 1/4000 sec
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Flash • Custom
Image parameters	• Preset modes: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, B&W • Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness (-/+3 steps)
Viewfinder	• Optical fixed eye-level • Pentamirror type • Frame coverage 95% (approx.) • Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.83x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1 • Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen	• Optical fixed eye-level • Pentamirror type • Frame coverage 95% (approx.) • Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.74x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1 • Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen
LCD monitor	• 2.7″ TFT LCD • 230,400 pixel • 100% coverage • Selectable in 5 steps	• 2.7″ tilting TFT LCD • 230,400 pixel • 100% coverage • Auto Brightness Control (Auto setting in 2 steps, manual setting in 5 steps)
Live View	N/A	• Tiltable 2.7” Live View LCD w/ 1.4x or 2x selectable Smart Teleconverter • 90% frame coverage (30 fps display rate) • Real-time Image adjustment
Built-in flash	• Auto pop-up • Manual pop-up in P, S, A or M modes • Guide number approx. 10 at ISO 100
Flash mode	• Auto • Auto (Flash-Off) • Fill-flash • Rear flash sync • Red- Eye Reduction • Slow sync • High speed sync • Wireless Off-Camera Flash
Shooting modes	• Single-shot • Continuous • Self-timer • Self-timer Continuous • Bracketing • Remote Commander
Self-timer	2 or 10 sec
Continous shooting	2.5 fps	2.5 fps (2 fps in Live View)
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) • HDMI • Video
Storage	• Memory Stick PRO Duo • SD / SDHC cards
Power	Lithium-Ion battery pack NP-FH50
Battery life	Approx. 510 shots with viewfinder (CIPA standard)	Approx. 510 shots with viewfinder, Approx 230 images in Live View (CIPA standard)	Approx. 500 shots with viewfinder, Approx 230 images in Live View (CIPA standard)
Dimensions	128 x 97 x 68 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 2.7 in)	128 x 97 x 71 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 2.9 in)	128 x 97 x 71 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 2.9 in)
Weight (no batt)	452 g (1.15 lb)	491 g (1.29 lb)	489 g (1.28 lb)
Supplied accessories	• BC-VH1 Battery Charger • NP-FH50 Rechargeable Battery • Shoulder strap • Body cap • Video cable • Software CD-ROM

Table Taken From DPreview.com

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