The Sony Alpha A350 is a superb camera, but anyone who was expecting a full professional DSLR like the A700 will be disappointed. Instead you get an A200 with the addition of live view and a massive 14.2-megapixel sensor. This is a very appealing camera for the advanced amateur, and an outstanding bargain at the current price.

Sony’s A350 DSLR has something to offer to both digicam upgraders who are looking to buy a more sophisticated camera and photo enthusiasts who want a high-resolution camera with all the latest shooting controls. It’s a definite step up from the A200 model in both features and performance and represents very good value for money. However, for enthusiasts who want to get the best from this camera, we’d recommend buying the body alone and pairing it with a more sophisticated lens.

Despite a few issues which will annoy technical photographers, the Alpha A350 is an excellent DSLR with great features and arguably one of the best Live View implementations to date. Given all it offers for the asking price we can easily award it our Highly Recommended rating.

The A300 and A350 provide Live View, a definite bonus because this feature has been very successfully implemented; it’s likely to satisfy even those who are upgrading from a digicam.

This D-SLR has a nice, solid feel, is easy to operate, takes quality images, has built-in stabilization, sensor cleaning and enough tweaks to keep you punching menu options until you get completely bored.

Unfortunately, it can’t quite compete with the all-round performance the best modern DSLRs are capable of. Had the image quality been of the same standard as the leaders in its class, that would have been enough to award it our highest rating.

In all, the A350 has impressive features, specs, and price. But it’s still too early to tell whether it will lure serious shooters away from the new Canon EOS Rebel XSi or Pentax K200D.

However, you have to adjust the expectations coming with these feelings, judge the test results on their true value, and place the camera in the amateur segment. I am convinced that the Sony Alpha 350 will perform wonderfully for the target group.

While we like Sony’s Super SteadyShot anti-shake system, and the Live View is certainly an improvement over earlier offerings, to take full advantage of the 14-megapixel sensor you’ll need to budget for some of the maker’s more classier optics, which are on a par with those from Canon and Nikon.

Sony has built this camera to a price, and that’s a shame as it’s capable of some stunning images. If you can ignore the build quality and get your head around all those buttons, switches and sliders, then it’s great. Shame about the Sony kit lens though!

With some handy innovative features, the A350 is an easy-to-use, entry-level D-SLR that takes great pictures.

Disappointing ergonomics, with small right-hand grip and poor layout of controls; tunnel-like viewfinder; conventional use compromised by Live View system; limited range of pricey accessories and lenses.