Sony a380 DSLR

Sony's a380 DSLR is done in a flash

Product

Sony a380 DSLR

Promise

Sony’s biggest and shiniest new toy is the a380, a digital SLR camera that reckons it’s as easy to use as any pocket-sized offering. What’s on offer inside is another matter – a mighty 14.2 megapixel photo size, SteadyShot INSIDE technology to combat wobble and a blistering 2 fps shooting rate.

Performance

Of all the thousands of features that they pack inside a DSLR, this reviewer usually plumps for the fps rate – the ability to shoot dozens of shots off far outweighs whether a camera can carry and extra few thousand pixels. The advantage the Sony adds is that it also carries some quite intelligent software that optimises your settings naturally, meaning that you only need to frame and shoot, not fiddle with settings that you may be uncomfortable with.

Verdict

The LiveView function lets you see all the action you’ve shot instantly, with no irritating delays as your subject wanders off into the bushes. It’s emblematic of the whole camera design – speed is key at every stage, and it’s a great bit of kit for even the most impatient snapper.