Brief notes on the Sony a350 compared with my Sony a700.

Lighter and smaller camera. Plastic/aluminium not magnesium shell.

Simplified controls and menu options

One control wheel – against the two on a700

No joystick on multi-controller

No Mirror Lock Up at all

No Depth of field Preview

Viewfinder image is smaller than a700

Jpeg has only two settings - Standard and Fine (no xFine)

Raw has only one setting (no CRaw)

Frame rate about half that of a700

Manual focussing is challenging but not impossible.

Lenses without electrical contacts (m42 adapters etc) can only be used in M setting without metering.

Now the good stuff …

Noise reduction on high ISO and Long Time can be turned off (not just to low as on a700)

Autofocus is fast and precise in both EV and LV modes – about the same as a700.

Changing between EV and LV is just one switch and instantaneous.

Live-View has quick refresh time with minimal smearing.

The effects of changing white balance, exposure compensation, exposure mode and scene mode are seen on the LV LCD.

Noise is very well handled – I’ve been using ISO 1600 regularly. Pixel peeping reveals noise but prints look great. Neat Image deals with noise if required.

The jpegs are really great straight from the camera. You’ll need skill and time to improve on them using the raw files.

Very easy for a beginner to use and will appeal to compact/bridge camera owners wanting to step up to DSLR.

I find the LV a boon for low/waist level shots – very reminiscent of using the Sony R1 in that respect.

I highly recommend the a350 providing you accept it for what it is - a very accomplished entry level camera. If you want all the bells and whistles then get an a700 or wait for the full frame 24mg "Flagship" later in the year