Sony Alpha 380 vs Sony Alpha 450 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 380
41
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 450
44
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 380 and the Sony Alpha 450 are both APS-C DSLRs built around the Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so DT lenses fit either body. The Alpha 380 arrived in 2009 as the smaller, lighter camera at 519 g and 128 x 97 x 71 mm. The 2010 Alpha 450 is the larger body at 137 x 104 x 81 mm and 560 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 18, 2009 | January 5, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 128 x 97 x 71 mm | 137 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 519 g | 560 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 450 is the clear winner for action, shooting at up to 7 frames per second against the Alpha 380's 2.5 fps. That speed advantage gives the 450 far more frames of a bird lifting off or a player striking a ball. The 450 also pairs a CMOS sensor with a 12800 ISO ceiling, while the 380's CCD body tops out at 3200 ISO. Resolution is a shared strength: both deliver 14.2 megapixel APS-C files, so print sizes and crop room are the same. Stabilisation is built into both bodies, which helps handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds with any DT lens. The Alpha 380's ISO 100 base setting is its exposure edge, allowing wider apertures and longer shutter times in bright daylight. | ||
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. |
2.5 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, so both serve strictly as stills bodies and anyone who needs movie clips must look elsewhere. Both also lack built-in timelapse, so interval shooting is not available on either camera. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesA tilting screen is the standout control feature both cameras offer: each has a 2.7-inch, 230,400-dot LCD that flips out for waist-level or overhead shooting in live view. Both include a built-in flash plus support for external flash units. Neither camera offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so wireless transfer and location tagging are unavailable on both bodies. Touch control and weather sealing are absent from both as well, so settings and composition stay button-driven. | ||
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. |
2304001150001500000 | 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 | 27/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 450 supports much longer shooting days, rated at 1050 shots per charge against 500 shots for the Alpha 380. Each body runs its own pack, with an NP-FM500H in the 450 and an NP-FH50 in the 380, so the batteries do not carry between them. Storage is a shared arrangement. Both write to SD/SDHC or Memory Stick Pro Duo cards in a single slot, and neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FH50 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 1050 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Alpha 450 is the stronger buy for sports, wildlife and travel photography. Its 7 fps burst captures action the 380 would miss, its 12800 ISO ceiling permits faster shutter speeds in dim gyms and at dusk, and its 1050-shot rating supports a full day of shooting per charge.
The Alpha 380 remains worth choosing when low weight and bright-light control matter most. It is the lighter body at 519 g, and its ISO 100 base setting suits wide apertures in daylight. Otherwise the two match on resolution, mount, stabilisation and screen, so either covers everyday stills work.