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| Sony A350 Compared to Nikon D80: Dynamic Range Optimization Technology
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In Standard mode, Sony's DRO optimizes brightness and contrast for the image overall, and in Advanced mode, it optimizes each area of the composition separately to bring out maximum shadow and highlight detail. The D-Range Optimizer can be used on all image formats in all metering modes. The Nikon D80 offers a different solution called D-Lighting which is a process applied to the image after capture. Using D-lighting on the D80 will create a copy of the original image with D-lighting applied while keeping the original intact. There are four settings available in the Nikon D80 D-Lighting menu; Moderate, Normal, Enhanced and Off. We compare the D-Range
Optimization technology found on the Sony A350 versus the D-Lighting feature
available on the Nikon D80 below. The first set of images show the entire
scene as captured, while the second set of comparison images are crops
taken from the original image viewed at 100%.
As seen above, applying the D-Range Optimizer settings on the Sony Alpha A350 digital SLR has a fairly subtle effect with less visible difference in the shadow areas of the image. Comparing the original Nikon D80 image with the sample shots that have been retouched with D-lighting in-camera shows that there is a large amount of shadow detail that can be rescued (while still maintaining highlights) by applying this feature.
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Sony A350 Compared to Nikon D80: Colour and White Balance Control Based on our tests, the new 14.2MP CCD sensor in the Sony Alpha A350 digital SLR is certainly capable of delivering very good colour and detail when combined with a good lens.
The image samples above show the colour delivered by the Sony A350 digital SLR straight out of camera compared to the default look from the Nikon D80 (Standard in-camera processing applied). We found that on average the Nikon D80 delivered a more saturated look that most would probably consider more pleasing if going straight to print or for viewing on an external monitor. The images from the Alpha Sony A350 in comparison looked duller and had less contrast at default. Remember that in order to display colour correctly it is important to ensure that your computer monitor is properly adjusted (we recommend the ColorVision Spyder colour calibration system as a good solution). Sample images should be ideally viewed in a photo software application like Adobe Photoshop. It does not take much
to to produce fairly similar results in colour from either the Sony Alpha
A350 or the Nikon D80 using editing software to tweak the images, as can
be seen from the resized sample images below.
The Sony A350 and the
Nikon D80 both feature an Auto White Balance (WB) option that attempts
to automatically select the appropriate white balance settings based on
the type of light source present when taking the image. Both cameras also
incorporate a number of options that allow you to set WB settings manually
or select a preset option for using a gray or white object as a reference
for white balance. Both the Sony A350 and
the Nikon D80 deliver pretty good results in terms of using the Auto WB
setting under daylight conditions. In the image samples below we tested
the Sony A350 versus the D80 with both cameras set to "Landscape"
Auto Scene Mode, and each kit lens set to offer 24mm coverage.
Under these conditions there is little difference to be seen between the colour and general image quality from the Sony A350 and the Nikon D80 when viewed at standard print sizes. In this test the Nikon D80 rendered a slightly warmer (red) white balance compared to the cooler (blue) results from the Sony A350 SLR. Using the Auto WB setting
while shooting indoors or under difficult mixed lighting conditions, we
found the Nikon D80 did a much more consistent and better job of approximating
the correct white balance. The test images below were taken with the Sony
A350 and the Nikon D80 set first to to the default manual preset
for Incandescent White
Balance and then the same image was taken using the Auto WB setting.
The Nikon D80 also stands out for offering better white balance when doing flash photography using the built in or external speedlight (The Nikon D80 uses readings from its 420-segment RGB colour meter sensor to assist in determining Auto WB). Optional
Accessories: Sony A350 Compared to Nikon D80: High ISO Comparison at 1600 and 3200 ISO In terms of high ISO performance, the Sony Alpha A350 / A300 offers an ISO sensitivity range rated by Sony from 100-3200 ISO in one stop increments. The camera offers a high ISO noise reduction feature that can be turned on or off as desired. In comparison, the Nikon D80 incorporates an ISO range from 100-1600 ISO that can be set in 1/3 stop increments and provides ISO sensitivity boost settings up to HI-1 (representing 3200 ISO). The Nikon D80 features selectable high ISO noise reduction offering the choice of using one of three available NR levels; Normal, High and Low. The cropped images below
show the very different approach that Sony and Nikon take in dealing with
high ISO noise on the Sony A350 and Nikon D80 respectively.
In the above crop taken from an ISO 1600 sample image using the Sony A350 with NR turned On, we see there is a fair amount of loss in detail and visible chroma noise (blotchy colour effect). The high ISO noise reduction system on the Sony A350 tends to smudge detail providing a softer look in the final printed image (even at 5" x 7" size) when compared to the image from the D80 taken with the same settings and NR set to Normal. The difference is attributed to a lower amount of in-camera sharpening being applied in the Sony A350 and the weaker performance of the Sony DT 18-70mm lens when combined with such a high resolution camera. Nikon's approach to noise reduction has traditionally been to perform colour (chroma) noise reduction first, and then modest amounts of luminance noise reduction. Images have a tendency to show more detail as a result, although luminance noise is typically increased. Luminance noise tends to be less distracting however, since it comes across more like traditional 35mm film "grain" rather than smudged colour noise. The image crops below
show the results from the Sony A350 and the Nikon D80 with ISO sensitivity
set to 1600 ISO and NR set to Off. The original image was recorded as
a Large / Fine JPEG file generated by the camera's respective internal
image processing systems.
Although the Sony A350 is rated to 3200 ISO sensitivity, Nikon choose to limit their acceptable ISO range to a maximum of 1600 ISO, and then provide three additional ISO boost settings in 1/3 stop increments to a maximum of HI-1 which essentially represents 3,200 ISO. When we compare the Sony A350 set to 3200 ISO with the Nikon D80 set to HI-1 we see that Sony continues their trend of heavy handed noise reduction with even more smudging of details. Considering that these
are very high resolution files viewed at 100%, any loss of detail is highly
magnified and would not be quite as apparent when compressed into a smaller
print size.
In general, we found both the Sony Alpha A350 and Nikon D80 produced low noise levels at their lower sensitivity settings. At 400 ISO we started noticing a difference between the two cameras with the D80 already exhibiting an advantage in the way that it controls noise. With the Sony A350 we began to see some colour blotching and loss of detail starting at this sensitivity and becoming progressively more intense as ISO settings were increased. Sony
A350 Compared to Nikon D80: Dust Reduction Systems Although the Nikon D80 does not offer a self cleaning sensor system, it does incorporate a number of anti-dust measures. The following is a list of the various steps that have been taken to prevent dust or foreign matter from attaching to the surface of the optical low-pass filter (OLPF) found in the Nikon D80 digital SLR:
Sony Alpha A350 Compared to Nikon D80: Overall Impressions and ConclusionHaving had the opportunity to put a Sony Alpha A350 digital SLR with DT 18-70mm lens to the test over the past couple of weeks, we can only say that its new 14.2 MP sensor is capable of offering very good results. The additional resolution provided allows for the capture of some finer details and the option to crop even further into an image compared to a 10 MP camera like the Nikon D80. Considering the relative difference in mega pixels however, we feel that the resolution advantage offered by the Alpha A350 does not really meet the cost. Taking into account that the new Alpha A300 DSLR is essentially the same camera as the Sony A350 (only real difference being the higher mega pixels on the A350), we would have to recommend the Sony A300 SLR as offering the better value of the two cameras at about $150 CAN less than the price of the Sony A350. With respect to the other features incorporated in the Alpha A350 / A300 SLR, like Quick AF Live View, D-Range Optimizer, and the internal anti-dust sensor cleaning system, we do realize the theoretical benefits made possible by these latest technologies however, we feel the way that they are implemented in the Sony Alpha series does little to enhance the photographic experience or overall image quality. Similarly to the latest generation of point and shoot cameras there are few signs of true innovation with respect to the Sony A350 / A300 SLR and most of the new technology in our opinion is a sign of feature creep attributed to marketing decisions as opposed to enhancing the practicality and usability of the product. Comparing the Sony Alpha A350 to the Nikon D80 illustrates how Nikon's design philosophy is different with considerable more attention having been made to ensure a camera that not only offers very good image quality but also provides a comfortable user experience with enhanced ergonomics, speed and ease of operation, customization options and overall durability. Many of the issues with respect to Sony's mid range digital SLR models lies with the fact that Sony has only been in the interchangeable lens SLR business for a couple of years. In terms of the non digital parts of their SLR cameras (metering, auto focus, lens mount, etc.) most of Sony's root SLR camera technology was inherited when Sony took over the failed Konica Minolta SLR camera division in 2006. Nikon has been in the digital SLR business for close to a decade having brought out the first "entry level" digital SLR back in 1999 with the introduction of the Nikon D1. Nikon's F-bayonet lens mount which provides SLR camera compatibility with Nikkor lenses was first introduced almost 50 years ago and is still in use today, essentially unchanged except for minor refinements to keep pace with current technology. Many of the advancements found in the Nikon D80 are trickle down technologies from higher end cameras in the Nikon digital SLR family. We find that it is Nikon's rich SLR camera development history that sets the Nikon D80 apart from cameras like the the Sony Alpha A350. Sony is an electronics marketing company. When it comes to digital camera technologies without a doubt Sony has their strengths notably in sensor design (witnessed by the fact that the sensor found in the D80 is also made by Sony). Sony's main weakness is a lack of experience in understanding how SLR cameras are to be used in terms of ergonomics and design of operation. As such, we feel that we can not offer a recommendation for the Sony Alpha A350 digital SLR.
When viewed as a total package, the Nikon D80 with its combination of its advanced metering capabilities, brighter and clearer viewfinder system, enhanced AF performance, industry leading flash technology, superior camera handling (ergonomics) and expanded feature set, maintains a definite advantage over the new Sony Alpha A350 digital SLR. For a second opinion, see other User Reviews for the Nikon D80 and the Sony Alpha A350.
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