Sony Alpha 350 vs Sony Alpha 450 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 350
44
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 450
44
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 350 and Sony Alpha 450 are both DSLRs, released in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Weight favours the newer Alpha 450 at 560 g against 674 g, a 114 g saving. Dimensions go the other way: the Alpha 450 measures 137 x 104 x 81 mm against 131 x 99 x 75 mm for the Alpha 350. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 30, 2008 | January 5, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 99 x 75 mm | 137 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 674 g | 560 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 450 is the stronger choice for action and low-light shooting. Its 7 fps continuous rate more than doubles the Alpha 350's 3 fps, improving your odds with a bird taking flight or a finish-line sprint. Its CMOS sensor reaches 12800 ISO where the Alpha 350's CCD stops at 3200 ISO, letting you keep shutter speeds up in dim interiors. The Alpha 350's 100 ISO base, against 200 ISO on the Alpha 450, helps for wide apertures in daylight. Both use the Sony Alpha DT mount, so DT lenses you already own fit either body. Resolution is shared at 14.2 MP, so neither gives more room to crop. Each offers a 9-point autofocus system and an optical pentamirror viewfinder. Both have in-body stabilisation, which steadies any mounted lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.2 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3056 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so this comparison is purely about stills. If movie capture matters at all, you will need a different body, because both of these DSLRs shoot photographs only. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras frame low or overhead shots through a tilting 2.7-inch LCD with live view, useful for macro and low-angle work. Screen detail differs only slightly, at 230,000 dots on the Alpha 350 against 230,400 on the Alpha 450. Each also offers a built-in flash and an external flash shoe. Connectivity is a shared absence. Neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so there is no wireless transfer and no automatic location tagging. Neither is weather sealed, and neither has a touch screen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 65/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 450 has the higher rated battery life, at 1050 shots per charge against 730 for the Alpha 350. Both use the same NP-FM500H battery, so spares are interchangeable, and neither charges over USB. Your existing cards may decide this choice. The Alpha 350 accepts CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo media across two card slots, so two formats can stay loaded at once. The Alpha 450 has a single slot taking SD/SDHC or Memory Stick Pro Duo, suiting anyone already standardising on SD cards. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
730 shots1505000 | 1050 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers the Sony Alpha 450 is the better pick. Its 7 fps burst rate, 12800 ISO ceiling and 1050-shot battery rating make it the stronger camera for sports, wildlife and dim indoor events.
Choose the Alpha 350 instead if you already shoot CompactFlash and want two card slots, or if you often work wide open in bright light, where its 100 ISO base helps. Both deliver the same 14.2 MP resolution, so print and crop sizes carry across either way.