Sony Alpha 380 Review

Handling & ease of use
As with previous consumer-level models, the Alpha 380 has a plasticky build, although it does feel well made. Its looks have been updated, with a gun-metal colour top-plate and a black exterior, which is mostly covered with an easy-to-hold rubberised finish. While the body is thick, the handgrip is shallow in height, which means the little finger of the right hand slips below the body rather than gripping the front. This isn’t how I prefer to hold a camera and others on the magazine, who also handled the camera, tended to agree.
Sony’s designers have clearly aimed to make this camera appeal to beginners by trying to minimise the number of buttons, with the four-way control handling a number of options. The top-plate holds the exposure mode dial on the left, while the main on/off switch can be found on the right and surrounds the shutter button, with a sliding control next to it for selecting the optical viewfinder or Live View function. In front of the shutter button is the main input dial while behind it is the button for the ‘Smart Teleconverter’(more on this later). The majority of functions are accessible using one of three controls on the rear. The MENU button allows you to fine-tune many of the A380’s facilities, but adjusting the main functions, such as AF, metering or White Balance, is achieved by pressing the Fn button, which provides a very user-friendly interface. Other functions, such as ISO, flash modes and the Drive system are directly chosen via the four-way control, in a similar fashion to the set-up used on many digital compacts. This system of sharing the main functions between three buttons is one I got used to quickly and I think beginners will appreciate it too.
The viewfinder is no better or worse than its rivals, with quite a small screen size that boasts a bright and sharp image. Black markings indicate the AF points and light up red when activated, while exposure information runs along the base of the viewfinder window.
The Alpha 380 is the latest Sony to offer a swivel-mounted LCD, which can prove really useful when shooting at awkward angles with Live View. Along with the two other new models, it’s the first to provide a new Help display screen that aims to offer beginners additional aid by showing the relationship of apertures to shutter speeds. While it’s a commendable effort, I’m not too sure how useful it will prove in the field.   
Score 20/25

Features
The biggest selling point of the Alpha 380 is its 14.2-megapixel resolution, although it should be noted this is the same as on the Alpha 350 it replaces. This gives a maximum image size of 4592x3056 pixels, which is more than enough to produce A3+ prints. While the resolution hasn’t changed, Sony states that it has improved the image processor to deliver enhancements to image quality.
The A380 offers an extensive range of exposure modes, with fully automatic scene modes like Portrait and Action providing fuss-free photography for beginners. The semi-auto and manual modes ensure that more experienced photographers have greater control too. While overrides include exposure compensation and bracketing, it’s unusual not to have an AE-Lock facility offered. Three metering patterns are available: multi-segment, spot and centre-weighted average, so you’ve a good choice of options in this respect. You can also boost the dynamic range of the sensor with the Dynamic Range Optimizer.
The autofocus system uses a nine-point array, with the central point boasting the more sensitive cross-type sensor. You can choose between single or continuous focus, as well as an Auto-AF mode that combines both systems. Once you’ve chosen whether to have just an individual sensor or all of them activated, you can engage the AF by pressing the shutter button or, should you have the EyeStart facility switched on, by looking through the viewfinder.
One area where Sony has stolen a march on its rivals is with its Quick AF Live View facility, which allows you to use the LCD monitor to compose the scene and yet retain fast and accurate autofocus, unlike the less than satisfactory systems used on other DSLRs.
The ISO range of 100-3200 (plus Auto), is good and, as with all Alpha models, it features a SteadyShot Inside image-stabilisation system within the body, so that shake reduction is available with any lens. The A380 also provides an anti-dust system for the sensor.
The integral flashgun is slightly less powerful than most, with a Guide Number of 10 (ISO 100m), but offers a full range of modes including slow-sync, auto pop-up and wireless.
A feature that is missing on the A380 is a depth-of-field preview facility, which while not a major omission for beginners, is certainly something that will be missed by more experienced users. 
Score 21/25

Performance
The Alpha 380 is more than capable of delivering high quality results in a variety of shooting situations. The nine-point AF system is very fast and responsive for locking on static subjects and when switched to Live View, it performs incredibly well too – far better than DSLRs from rival brands. The continuous AF was a little disappointing – a school’s sports day provided the ideal opportunity for it to prove its worth, but the result was that most shots were slightly out of focus, even when the subject wasn’t moving erratically. It’s also worth pointing out for sports fans that at 2.5 frames-per-second, it’s slightly slower than the A350 it replaces. The multi-segment metering system proved very consistent and, bar scenes with a very wide contrast range, got exposures spot-on. The integral flash also delivered good exposures but in very low light, be aware that its range is limited. One note of caution, take care with the 18-55mm in bright sunlight, as it’s quite susceptible to flare.
Colours are nicely saturated and contrast is good, while noise isn't an issue until you reach ISO 800, which is when it really starts to become evident. Overall, the Sony delivers a good performance in all departments, with no major problems of note. 
Score 21/25

Dynamic Range 
Optimizer (DRO)
Much like the Active D-Lighting function on Nikon DSLRs, DRO allows you to record extra highlight and shadow detail in high contrast scenes. There are two settings, Standard and Advanced, each suited to different types of high-contrast scenes. Our tests found that using DRO can help draw detail from shadows, although some noise is evident in these areas.

Viewfinder
The viewfinder screen is bright and sharp, but quite small, with black markings for the nine-point AF system.

Memory card slots
The Alpha 380 has two memory card slots. One accepts SD/SDHC cards, while another accepts Sony MemoryStick Duo cards. A switch allows you to select which you'd like to use.

Digital Teleconverter
Press the Digital Teleconverter button and you can ‘magnify’ the central part of the image by 1.4x or 2x, although this has the effect of reducing the file size too. It’s available only when shooting JPEGs in Live View. To be honest, you could crop in a similar way in Photoshop, making this function more a gimmick than of any real use. It’s a shame it has such a prominent position on the top-plate, as it’s bound to be a rarely used function.

Overall Verdict
The Alpha 380 continues Sony’s trend of producing highly specified DSLRs to challenge those from Canon and Nikon. But while the Alpha 350 scored 90% and a Best Buy when tested in our May 2008 issue, the Alpha 380 doesn’t live up to its predecessor’s glowing review. There is litle wrong with the A380 and, bar my gripe about the handling, it's a decent DSLR. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer any radical improvements over the A350, yet there is a big difference in price. For many, the soon-to-be-discontinued (and discounted) A350 will represent a better buy, while the likes of the Olympus E-620 and Canon EOS 450D could also prove more tempting. While Sony describes the A380 as an entry-level model, its price places it closer to the advanced-amateur sector, where better made models like the Pentax K20D offer a real alternative. In summary, the Alpha 380 is a very good DSLR, but lacks a major selling point to stand it out from rivals.

Handling & ease of use 20/25
Features 21/25 
Performance 21/25
Value For Money 21/25
Overall 83/100