Sony Alpha 350 vs Sony Alpha 700 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 350
44
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 700
46
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 350 and the Sony Alpha 700 are APS-C DSLRs sharing the Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so any Alpha DT lens you already own fits both. The Alpha 700 arrived in 2007 as the larger, heavier body at 142 x 105 x 80 mm and 768 g, while the 2008 Alpha 350 is a lighter 674 g at 131 x 99 x 75 mm, making it the easier of the two to carry on a full day of travel shooting. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 30, 2008 | September 6, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 99 x 75 mm | 142 x 105 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 674 g | 768 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 350 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 14.2 megapixels against 12.2 on the Alpha 700. That extra pixel count gives you more room to crop a distant bird or a candid face and still keep detail in the print. For action, the Alpha 700 shoots at 5 frames per second against 3 on the Alpha 350, a real advantage for a running child or a landing heron. It also offers a shorter 1/8000 second exposure for freezing motion at wide apertures in bright light. Its pentaprism viewfinder gives a brighter optical view than the Alpha 350's pentamirror. A useful similarity is in-body stabilisation on both, steadying handheld shots with any mounted lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.2 MP050 | 12.2 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 | 4272 x 2848 |
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 | 16 x 24 |
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 | 5 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 | 10030200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 800080032000 |
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 (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so both are purely stills cameras. Anyone who wants motion clips alongside their stills needs to look beyond these two bodies. | ||
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 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 700 is the better camera for checking focus and composition on the rear screen, with a 3 inch, 920,000-dot LCD against the Alpha 350's 2.7 inch, 230,000-dot panel. That sharper, larger display makes critical review of a shot's sharpness far easier in the field. The Alpha 350 supports live view while the Alpha 700 does not. Combined with its flip-out screen, this lets the Alpha 350 shoot from waist level or low over a flowerbed without stooping to the optical viewfinder. Both cameras have built-in flash, support external flash, and lack GPS, Wi-Fi and weather sealing. | ||
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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 350 has the longer rated battery life at 730 shots against 650 on the Alpha 700, under their stated test conditions. Both use the same NP-FM500H battery, so a spare battery you already own serves either body, and neither charges over USB. Both cameras offer dual card slots taking Compact Flash Type I or II and Memory Stick Duo, so you can carry two card formats at once. The Alpha 350 additionally supports UDMA Mode 5 cards, which suits faster card-to-computer workflows when emptying large shoots. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 350 for detail-heavy and awkward-angle work: its 14.2 megapixels give more cropping latitude for wildlife and landscape prints, and live view with the flip screen makes macro and overhead compositions practical. Its lighter 674 g body and 730-shot rating also favour a day of walking.
Choose the Sony Alpha 700 for fast-moving subjects and bright conditions. Its 5 fps burst, 1/8000 second exposure, brighter pentaprism viewfinder and sharper 920,000-dot screen all serve sports, birds in flight and decisive-moment street work better, provided you frame through the optical viewfinder.