Sony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official pics

Sony's latest mainstream DSLRs cameras got the seal of officialness this past Saturday, and now the company's added some icing to the cake by releasing of plethora of pictures for its α230, α330, and α380. Direct your eyes lovingly at the articulating screens and SD/SDHC card slots in the gallery below. Pre-orders for the trio are supposed to start today at Sony's official retail site, but as of this writing, they're not yet there.

Gallery: Sony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official pics

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[LordFlapjack @ May 18th 2009 2:17AM]

first

let the rage begin

[Cunthor @ May 18th 2009 2:19AM]

What race, they only shoot at 2.5fps...

[)ROFL( @ May 18th 2009 2:28AM]

Comprehension fail.

[chispito @ May 18th 2009 3:37AM]

What pail, we're trying to comprehend cameras around here.

[Cunthor @ May 18th 2009 4:01AM]

Haha, I can't read. Damn these claws...

[napkindoodle @ May 18th 2009 2:30AM]

I like the direction Sony has taken towards developing in-lens motors (potentially faster-focusing telephotos). I also applaud their compatibility with SD/ SDHC. They are heading the the right direction offering cheaper, more affordable prime lenses too (50/1.8 - with silent motor focusing).

However, despite all this positive change, I can't but feel that Sony and Nikon, being tied at the hip with regards to sensors and chips, are falling seriously behind in terms of video technology. The Canon Ti1 and Panasonic GH1 will loom over their offerings with their 1080p video capabilities. Sony really needs to get on the ball and bring some more of their camcorder sensor technologies to the Alpha platform, if they want to get a shot at 3rd place.

I'm hopeful that the Nikon D400 and eventual Alpha 700 replacements will see video implemented in a viable, non-jelly-motion fashion.

[loosely_coupled @ May 18th 2009 3:37AM]

Is that new Canon you mentioned do 1080P video without rolling shutter? If not, then what does Nikon and Sony need to catch up to? I'm sure they could implement crappy 1080P video too.. The trick is making an APS-C or greater DSLR do jello-free video..

[Razor @ May 18th 2009 5:15AM]

@napkindoodle

Sony and Nikon have nothing to worry regarding the T1i and it's 1080p video implementation. It would have been better if Canon simply did not add it to the camera. The rolling shutter issue + 20fps + unreliable autofocus + bad microphone = video capture that is pretty much unusable. If you are planning to use the Canon T1i for video you will need to stick to 720p to get any quality out of it, and manual focus if you don't want serious hunting and noise coming through the mic.

The T1i is a great camera for those needing a Canon mount in an entry-level body. It's video capture is an afterthought at best and really serves more to act as an additional spec for marketing at best. I've used it and I can say the video is that bad.

[ehisforadam @ May 18th 2009 9:02AM]

I think Sony is probably taking the same stance with video as they did with live view. They probably don't want to implement it unless they can get it right. That probably includes things like autofocus and smooth aperture changes. Sony probably doesn't want to hurt their HD video camera sales too much either.

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake @ May 18th 2009 2:32AM]

It's interesting that they've chosen to use CCD rather than CMOS for these new cameras.
Which I assume is being used as the reason for no video implementation.
Pretty strange.
Why didn't they want to implement video?
It'll be somewhat difficult to sell these when they're sitting alongside other DSLRs or ILCs that do have video, since these have an intended target of feature finding consumers who love their all-in-one gadgets.
Sony should put video in their DSLRs, even if it were a crippled video feature, at least try to offer something.
Criticism aside, it's good that they've finally started using an SD/SDHC option. I thought that would never happen.

[Jaws @ May 18th 2009 5:29AM]

maybe its because i have a crap load of CF cards sitting next to me... but I for one prefer the CF's.
Maybe its just me, and the cards I've bought... but I've found the CF cards a LOT faster for transfers too... so me... I'm sticking with CF.
Too bad Sony didn't stick with it in their new intro-models (hopefully they stick with it in the a700-900's successors).

[gerbick @ May 18th 2009 2:42AM]

That does not look like SDHC, looks like Pro Duo. See the Magicgate logo on the bottom of the photo?

[gerbick @ May 18th 2009 2:43AM]

Oh snap. I didn't see the gallery image... ignore my dumb self.

[MastrCake @ May 18th 2009 2:43AM]

Can't wait to get one in hand. These shots look pretty darn awesome. The only physical aspect that is cause for alarm is the grip (or lack thereof).

Maybe the grip feels better than it looks.

But really, take a look at the pattern of leather (or rubber?) on the 330. That screams awesomeness. And the articulating display is done pretty well by Sony. And if you look closely at the SD/MS/HDMI cover, you'll see that it slides into the camera... nice touch.

Maybe Sony is on to something great here.

[MastrCake @ May 18th 2009 2:43AM]

Look closer, because the SD slot is partially hidden by the Memory Stick that is sticking out.

[MastrCake @ May 18th 2009 2:45AM]

This was a reply for gerbick, but it looks like he realized his mistake before I could correct him.

And goddamn Engadget, fix your comment system!

[MastrCake @ May 18th 2009 2:49AM]

Well, a camera that is twice the price ought to be better. But you are comparing apples to oranges here... These are meant as entry-level cameras, not professional systems for professional photographers.

[Mike Hayes @ May 18th 2009 3:08AM]

just get a Rebel XS.

[DrJeckyl @ May 18th 2009 4:11AM]

I really like that menu system. Makes it easy for novice like me.

[Stanislav Paskalev @ May 18th 2009 4:57AM]

They've removed the AEL button, they've moved the control dial in front, so it's no longer accessible.

The on/off switch has been moved, apparently for morons who are accustomed to this style and couldn't have found it on the prev. models ..

The only positive thing that I see on those models is that the flash is higher, meaning less red eyes and frontal shadows. Other than that, I don't see why would anyone upgrade to those.

[ehisforadam @ May 18th 2009 9:09AM]

Honestly, how can you really criticize the ergonomics without holding one. For all you know, it could be really positioning. The lack of AEL is sort of odd, but being that they're entry level cameras, perhaps they removed it because the target user doesn't use AEL much and few buttons means cheaper to produce.

[Jonas @ May 18th 2009 12:34PM]

I hate comments about built-in flash: look, if you have any ambition on good pictures you will use a dedicated flash. This is true with Sony, Nikon, Canon and what-have-you: you use a dedicated flash! No reason to come down on prev. Sony DSLR's for having a built-in flash seated lower than the competition --Sony simply recognizes that it is a "tick in the box" feature not used in real life photography.
The other thing people (not you) complains about is the notion about noise in high ISO with the Sony's. Now, who actually shoots in these super high ISO??? Nobody. Again, if you have any ambition on photography you will use a tripod in low light situation so the need to shoot in ISO 90.000 is kind of obliviated.

That said, I am very disappointed with these new cameras: The Alpha's does not need lighter bodies and smaller grips. They need more weight for stability and they need larger grips ( I have small hands and I needed to add a vertical grip to my A350 to be able to hold it).
Hopefully they will reconsider and release a A800 this year.

[sal @ May 18th 2009 8:28AM]

I've the old 350 :(

do you think, it possible to update the firmware, I knida liked the new one ;)

[whollysblog @ May 18th 2009 8:38AM]

It looks neat but it looks like an old camera design...check this out..http://whollysblog.com/

[Steven K @ May 18th 2009 9:14AM]

i like the older A 200 more I hate, small DSLRs thats why I bought the 200 over a canon XTi the XTI was too small but sony just went and messed that up and didn't even add anything worth mention :( they even got rid of CF cards!!! this is an outrage not to mention they boosted the price a little :(

[Craig @ May 18th 2009 10:56AM]

To be honest, I could care less abuot shooting video with my DSLR. I just bought a Sony a300 and I love it so far. It does what I needed it to do: take pictures with good image quality. The lack of video did not put me off the purchase at all; I bought the camera to take pictures haha.

Also I don't really mind using CF on the a300 vs. SDHC. I didn't have any SDHC cards anyway, so I could care less.

[Craig @ May 18th 2009 10:57AM]

Apologies, "abuot" should be "about".

[Hotrod @ May 18th 2009 11:51AM]

That a330 looks like sex. I hope it performs as good as it looks.

[shabbis @ May 18th 2009 12:25PM]

Was Sony able to fix the somewhat small and tunnel-like viewfinder that accommodates the liveview? I'd say that is probably the biggest single complaint of the liveview DSLRs!

[Jonas @ May 18th 2009 12:39PM]

Agreed. Isn't it a strange thing that people expect video from their DSLR(?) It's like expecting a car to also be a boat. If they want video they should go back to their Point-and-shoots or they're cam-phones. If they want proper pictures get a proper still camera and if they want proper video then get a "real" video camera.

[stephen @ May 18th 2009 12:48PM]

Wow. Did they really have to make these things look like they were made by Fisher Price?

[kuade @ May 18th 2009 8:35PM]

Piss off Sony! Take your memory stick duo and shove it! Time for me to switch to Nikon...
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assholes

[chewbie @ May 25th 2009 12:48PM]

I don't get it.
They support SD (HC) aswell, not just Memory Stick

[Dan Light @ Jun 21st 2009 11:30PM]

I work in the lab in a camera store and today I picked up the a330 for the first time. I own a couple of a100s and was looking to upgrade. I have, what I feel are average size hands so I was shocked when my index finger was on the shutter button and the next fingerwas laying on top of the control dial that only my last two fingers and thumb were holding the camera! That was unsetteling to say the least.
Even when I handed it to a person with small hands they said it didn't feel secure. I have been told by salesmen that at least two customers don't like the way it feels and would not buy it for that reason.
I selected Sony based on a number of factors including the way it feels like it is an extension of my hand. These new cameras feel like they are about to fall out of my hand. I could not find a comfortable way to hold it.

[DT @ Jun 26th 2009 11:46AM]

Hands on with Sony Alpha A380
http://www.tinhte.com/forum/t229375/