Sony Alpha A350 VS Nikon D80
Sony Alpha A350 is Sony’s first mid range digital SLR. This 14.2MP digital cameras with unique Quick AF Live View features “new technologies that makes picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users.” according to the Sony press release. The Nikon D80 remains one of the predominant cameras in the current Nikon line up even though it was first introduced to the market in 2006. So compare the Sony Alpha A350 against the popular 10.1 megapixel Nikon D80 digital SLR is benefit.
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS Sony Alpha A350 Nikon D80
Announced 2008-01-30 2006-08-09
Dimensions 131×99x75 mm 132×103x77 mm
Weight 582 grams 585 grams
Viewfinder Reflecting (TTL) Reflecting (TTL)
Image Stabilizer Optical
SENSOR
Resolution 14.9 Megapixels 10.8 Megapixels
Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
ISO Min 100 100
ISO Max 3200 1600
Min Shutter 1/4000 s 1/4000 s
Max Shutter 30 s 30 s
Photo Max Size 4592×3056 3872×2592
VIDEO & SOUND
Record Sound No No
Record Video No No
ADDITIONALS FEATURES
Manual Focus Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV with step 1/3 +/- 5 EV with step 1/3
Image Formats 2 JPEG, RAW 3 JPEG, RAW
Interfaces USB 2.0, video, USB, USB 2.0, video
The Sony A350 features a new 14.2 megapixel CCD sensor compared to the 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor on the Nikon D80. Both sensors are APS-C size which means that there is a 1.5 x multiplying factor that applies to the focal length of the lens in use to get the equivalent field of view (FOV) in 35mm terms.
Sony claims that the Alpha A350 SLR offers a continuous shooting rate of approximately 2.5 frames per second (fps) compared to the Nikon D80 specifications at approximately 3 frames per second.
Sony Alpha A350 averaged close to the stated claim as tested when we shot a quick 2 second burst with a total of 5 frames being captured. With the Nikon D80 we managed to get one extra shot with a total of 6 frames in the same interval.
The viewfinder magnification on the D80 is 94% compared to the viewfinder magnification on the Sony A350 / A300 SLR at 74%.
The Nikon D80 did a good job of focusing under very low light conditions and locked on the subject quickly once illuminated by the camera’s AF-assist beam. Comparing the focusing capabilities of the Sony Alpha A350 and the Nikon D80 under a range of low light conditions we found the Nikon D80 to consistently provide faster AF in this type of situation.
