Sony A350 Intro (top)	Resolution Comparison	AF System	Image Stabilization	Viewfinder and Live View Compared	Built-in Flash Test: Concern About Sony A350, A300, A200 Pop-Up Flash
Ergonomics and Operation	Dynamic Range Optimization Test	Image Quality	High ISO Sensitivity	Dust Reduction Technology	Sony A350 versus Nikon D80 SLR Final Impressions and Conclusion

One of the new features on the Sony A350 digital SLR is the inclusion of an automatic pop-up flash. On the earlier entry level Sony A100 digital SLR you had to raise the flash manually.

The Nikon D80 also features a built-in flash that will pop-up in automatic mode or can be raised manually. The built-in flash head on the D80 sits higher a top the camera and is larger compared to the flash on the Sony A350 as can be seen above. (The 10.2MP Sony A300 and A200 digital SLR's both feature the same pop-up flash design as the A350).

The flash on the Sony A350 is less powerful with a guide number of 12 compared to the flash on the Nikon D80 rated with a higher guide number of 13.

The images below were taken from about 7 feet away from the subject in A mode at 1/60 sec f/8 with ISO set manually to 400 ISO and each lens set to its widest 18mm focal length.

The Sony A350 was not able to illuminate our test scene evenly due to its smaller flash head and weaker output as seen in the image on the left. In our Nikon D80 flash sample test (to the left below) we see that although there is some fall off towards the corners, the built-in i-TTL flash on the D80 provides a much more even flash coverage. Since the flash sits higher it was also less prone to produce redeye compared to the A350. In our tests, we found the Sony A350 provided overall poor built-in flash coverage, especially when shooting at the wider end of the kit lens.

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Sony's flash technology does not offer the same level of sophistication compared to the Nikon D80. Nikon has enjoyed a long reputation as the leader in the world of DSLR flash photography with their proprietary i-TTL speedlight technology.

Compared to the Sony Alpha A350, the Nikon D80 does a better job at calculating flash exposure and corresponding white balance using information from the camera's 420-segment RGB sensor combined with subject distance information from the lens and integrating colour information from the speedlights monitor pre-flash.

The Nikon D80 also offers full support for the Nikon Creative Lighting System and Advanced Wireless Lighting capabilities with compatible Nikon Speedlights. The D80's built-in wireless flash "Commander mode" offers quick user friendly setup and a real benefit if you are passionate about creative flash photography.

Nikon D80 Digital SLR Custom Menu Setting #22 Commander Mode: Built-in Wireless Flash Control for Multiple Speedlights

The Nikon D80's built-in flash is able to function as the master flash unit and perform as a two-group remote commander that provides direct wireless control over optional external SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200 Nikon Speedlights. Although the Sony A350 does offer wireless flash capability that is triggered with the built-in flash, it is designed to support a single off camera flash unit compared to the multiple flash set up and control possible with the Nikon D80.

The Nikon D80 features an AF-assist illuminator beam (yellow circle around lamp) which aids flash photography in dim light by projecting a pattern of red light so that the camera can focus. The beam is also used for redeye reduction.

The Sony A350 uses a multiple strobe burst from the built-in flash to illuminate the subject under low light conditions and for redeye reduction. The strobe from the flash has a tendency to make subjects blink before you take the picture since the AF-assist and redeye reduction pre-flashes are so bright. The strobe may also be seen as an interference to others depending on the situation.

The built-in flash on the Sony A350 must be raised in order for the low light AF-assist system to work. Under similar conditions, the flash can be left down on the Nikon D80 since the AF-assist beam operates independently.

The image crops below are taken from a built-in flash exposure sample image test using the Sony A350 and the D80 in Auto Scene Portrait mode. The Sony A350 image is soft and flat in comparison to the D80 image which provides much better sharpness and detail while also offering a better exposure and white balance. The reason that the A350 image looks so soft is in part because of the weakness of the Sony DT 18-70mm kit lens.

Sony Alpha A350 SLR with DT 18-70mm lens Built-in Auto Pop-Up flash used, Large JPEG Portrait Scene Mode, 1/60 sec at f/5.6 35mm focal length, 400 ISO (Auto set by camera)		Nikon D80 SLR with AF-S DX 18-55mm VR lens Built-in Auto Pop-Up flash used, Large JPEG Portrait Scene Mode, 1/60 sec at f/5.3 36mm focal length, 200 ISO (Auto set by camera)

Sony Alpha A200, A300, A350 Digital SLR's: A Concern About The Built-in Auto Pop-Up Flash

Beyond the differences in the flash capabilities of the two cameras as highlighted above, what we found of greater concern is what we feel is a pretty serious weakness in the way that the automatic pop-up flash is designed and incorporated in the Sony Alpha A350 (These findings also apply to the design of the built-in flash on the Sony Alpha A300 and A200 digital SLR cameras).

The image on the above left shows a red arrow pointing to the latch mechanism that controls the pop-up ability of the built-in flash on the Sony A350 SLR. The image on the top right shows the assembly on the Nikon D80 for comparison. Taking a closer look at this mechanism on the Sony Alpha A350 digital SLR we see that there is an opening into the camera around the spring release and hinge portion of the built-in flash that could allow outside elements like water, other moisture or dust to enter into the prism portion of the camera. Considering that there are a lot of sensitive electronics housed in the top of the Sony A350 we feel that there is a reasonable cause for concern. Adding to this worry is that the base of the Sony pop-up flash is designed in such a way that it acts as a catch basin (the area shaded in blue seen in the image on the left) potentially collecting any such undesirable elements. The flash housing is constructed so that any moisture that lands on the prism portion of the camera is likely to be channeled down towards the release latch / hinge portion and possibly into the opening of the camera.

		When we look at the built-in flash on the Nikon D80 we can see that Nikon has taken the proper steps to make sure that the prism portion of the camera remains more protected when the flash is raised. The base of the pop-up flash head assembly (shaded brown area on the left) is designed with a slope so that any moisture or other elements that might land on the camera are in fact channeled away to fall off the side. The latch release that extends into the camera body is protected to a greater degree (smaller tighter fit) and surrounded by a raised lip to prevent moisture from being able to enter inside as it gets channeled by. As seen on the left, a set of pivoting hinged rollers attach the built-in flash to the side of the prism portion of the Nikon D80 that then allows the flash to move up and down. By designing the pop-up flash in this fashion there is no possibility that this can be a source for moisture or other contaminants from entering the actual camera body (there is no opening).

With respect to the external flash hotshoe mount on each camera, the Sony Alpha A350 employs a proprietary mount which is compatible with dedicated Sony DSLR and Konica Minolta flash system accessories. The Nikon D80 uses a traditional external flash hotshoe mount which although dedicated for Nikon i-TTL speedlights, also means you can use a wider system of flash accessories including those from third party manufacturers.

From a durability point of view the hotshoe on the Sony A350 / A300 SLR is made of polycarbonate material while the Nikon D80 features a metal hotshoe considered less prone to wear and tear.

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PhotoTV HD Viewing with HDMI™ Output The Sony Alpha A350 provides direct HDMI output to your HDTV, so you can view and share photos with great clarity and detail on the big screen. (HDMI cable is optional) You can choose between standard 3:2 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio -- and with new Bravia HDTV models, photos are automatically optimized in sharpness, gradation and color reproduction for HD display. The Nikon D80 does not offer the benefit of HDMI output directly from the camera. To view images on a larger screen it is possible to connect the camera using the supplied standard VGA cable. The Nikon D80 also does not offer the advanced slide show capabilities found on the Sony A350 SLR with fade-in / fade-out transition effects.

Sony Alpha A350 Compared to Nikon D80 SLR: Ergonomics and Operation

For some camera manufacturers ergonomics seems like an afterthought. In the field, ergonomics can make the difference between a winning shot and a shot missed. The Nikon D80 features two command dials for changing camera settings, located on the front and back portion of the grip similar to the design on the higher end Nikon D300.

One of the benefits that this offers on the Nikon D80 when changing exposure settings is that you can rotate the subcommand dial to select the desired aperture value while you rotate the main command dial to change the shutter speed. You can easily make adjustments with your index finger controlling the sub command dial and your thumb controlling the main command dial while looking through the camera . This can be a real benefit when it comes to adjusting values quickly in manual exposure modes and when changing camera settings in general. With the Sony Alpha A350 there is only one control dial located on the top of the grip. To adjust shutter speed settings you rotate the top command dial. To change the aperture when you are in manual mode you have to push the Av button located on the back of the camera while rotating the command dial. In Aperture Priority mode rotating the top command dial changes the aperture settings. The dial control wheel on the Sony A350 is recessed and fairly small, making it harder to use compared to the larger more protruding control wheel dials on the Nikon D80.

The D80 features two easily accessible operation buttons on the top right grip portion of the camera. The Autofocus (AF) button allows for the selection of focus modes, and the Shooting Mode button provides options for shooting rate, self timer and remote trigger control settings. There are also separate dedicated buttons for selecting metering and exposure compensation making it easier and faster to change these settings compared to on the Sony A350.

The Sony features a Function Button on the back of the camera that once pressed activates a Menu were you can select among frequently used functions including metering, white balance, DRO settings and more.

By pushing the AF button on the Nikon D80 you can activate one of three focus modes: AF-A Auto select (default setting), AF-S Single-servo AF, AF-C Continuous-servo. Again this feature would have to be activated by pushing the Function Menu on the A350 and then selecting your desired option.

The Shooting mode button on the D80 allows you to control how the camera takes photographs: one at a time, in a continuous sequence, with a timed shutter-release delay, or with a remote control. There is also a Function Button located on the front of the Nikon D80 that is designed and can be customized for quick access to a range of functions.

In terms of operation and usability, the main menu and feature control buttons on the Nikon D80 are nested within a grooved channel on the back of the camera. This has the effect of raising the buttons and making them stand out relative to the surrounding area, while still keeping them parallel with the rest of the back of the camera. This helps prevent accidental button activation while the camera is in use.

One other Nikon D80 design advantage that can be seen above is that the "Delete" and "Playback" buttons are located at the top of the camera, which makes it easy to activate these frequently used buttons comfortably with your left thumb while holding the camera in a normal position.

With the Sony A350 we found while holding the camera with both hands, you have to extend your left thumb unnaturally backwards to reach these same two buttons which are now located at the bottom, or you have to change your grip and move your hand further down the base of the camera, activate the button and then move your hand back to a comfortable shooting hold.

Sony Alpha A350 versus Nikon D80 Review: Next Page