Customer Reviews:
 Great Camera October 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I used 35 mm years ago and then stopped taking pics. Started up because of some of the digital point and shoot cameras. When I decided to get back into SLRs, I did a lot of research. I have never been into snob appeal so I looked into features, picture quality and value as significant factors. Sony, who took over the older Minolta line, certainly had the right idea when they put together the 350. It is pretty easy to use right out of the box. I would consider a field guide if you are not camera savy, so you know how to get the most out of it. I recently used it on a trip to England and took about 800 pictures in 10 days. It worked great. I do not use the kit lens, but found some others that make this camera pretty flexible (but that's another review.) So far, there is nothing that I have wanted to do that this camera can't.
The majority of great pictures come from the photographer's eye, scene and light. IMHO, this camera will not hold you back if you have those.
 A satisfied buyer October 2, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased the Sony A350 primarily to have an up-to-date, medium-high end DSLR that would accept my Minolta lenses: I have seven. Professional photography was my first career, and had other opportunities not presented, I likely would have remained a photographer. I remained an avid amateur photographer throughout two subsequent careers, and now in retirement. I've found the the A350 a competitive DSLR, with most or all of the functions and modes of similar price-range cameras. Couple that with allowing me to use my collection of Minolta lenses, I've made a good choice. One feature I particularly like since I print large format copies of many of my photos is the menu selection "Creative Style" allowing shooting in Adobe Photoshop color space.
Two downers:
1. The LCD screen is particulary vulnerable protruding rearward to accommodate the LCD tilt function. Moreover, when using the viewfinder, skin oils and sweat--I shoot a lot of equine sports action--soils the LCD continuously. This vulnerability is why I rated the camera 4 stars rather than 5.
2. I find the Camera Shake warning indicator distracting, and essentially useless. Even when I use a tripod the indicator indicates maximum at the slightest touch. I'll rely on controlling shutter speed.
Nonetheless, I am satisfied with the camera, and would recommend it to others.
What a great camera September 29, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I waited a long time for the Nikon D80 to come down in price. While I was at the store ready to purchase the D80 the guy behind the counter introduced me to this A350. I have a few Minolta Lenses so it seemed like a great fit. I was a little skeptical at first but let me tell you, this is a great camera. I have taken more than 700 photos including my kids playing, storms, Lightning, and even long exposure night photos of the sky. I have had some KILLER photos come out of this camera. I am highly impressed and I have no regrets in choosing this camera over the D80. The only downside that I saw in the beginning was the 2.5 photos per second vs the d80's 3.? per second. I can handle that. I would highly recommend at least a 4 gig card but get the 8gig.I have the 8 gig and I currently have about 720 photos stored at highest res. about 14mb per photo on the card with plenty of room left.
Nice cam! Nice pics! September 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed A350 a lot. The image quality is very high. I shot some awesome family pictures, portraits, our vacation photos: everything came out superb. For an amateur as I am it is dream camera! I user DSC-R1 from Sony before and it also was terrific camera. If you aren't satisfied with the pics from this cam you need some real expensive lens and pro level equipment.
I'm very happy with this DSLR!
 Not impressed by photo sharpness September 14, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
Please read all comments to this posting as I may add comments as I gain experience. I have taken photos with the A350 using both the 18-70 (f3.5 to 5.6) Sony lens and the 75-300 (f4.5 to 5.6) telephoto Sony lens. I shot pictures of a tree a few hundred feet away. I am surprised that non-SLR cameras show the leaves clearly, while the leaves are very blurry in my A350 photos, even after image stabilization turned on. I tried various f-stops and shutter speeds yet the results are disappointing. Anybody notice this? Does this imply the lenses are not "fast" enough?
|
