Sony has come comparatively late to the DSLR race but has already shown that it is to be taken seriously. It's also recognised that there's always a market of adventurous photographers who want to move out of the compact digital arena and have more control over their camera settings. So for this reason the company released three entry-level Alpha DSLR machines (the A200, A300 and A350) which it has now seen fit to upgrade to the A230, A330 and A380.

Those expecting considerable innovations in the mid-range A330 will inevitably come away disappointed, as the most striking difference is in the appearance. The reassuringly solid, bulky design has been replaced by a lighter, more slimline model that now measures around 128 x 97 x 72mm and weighs approximately 490g minus battery, memory cards and accessories. Available (like its predecessor the A300) exclusively from Jessops, the A330 comes with a Sony DT 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 lens and has undergone considerable controls simplification.

Although remaining at a 10.2-megapixel resolution, the row of previously dedicated buttons on the left of the LCD has vanished - some to reappear on the four-way D-pad - and the AEL (autoexposure lock) button and capability have disappeared completely. The SteadyShot image stabilisation system is retained but is no longer accessed via a switch on the back but through the shooting menu, whilst the aperture wheel has slipped off the top to a less familiar front position.

Whilst applauding in general the aim of producing a lighter model, this has also resulted in a much smaller hand-grip which didn't sit easily and we found our right thumb straying towards the LCD for support. On the plus side, the inputs and outputs have been tidied up, with a sliding cover on the left side protecting two memory card slots (for SD and Memory Stick) alongside USB and HDMI ports. However, there's no video mode on this DSLR which is a bit of a wasted opportunity for the HDMI, and you have to manually switch between memory cards when one is full.

Probably the best selling point for the A330 is the Live View feature that is the LCD-led alternative to the optical viewfinder. Most other manufacturers who have this option experience considerable delays and clunking as the mirror shifts position from OVR to Live View, but Sony has worked round this problem by using a second sensor, resulting in fast transition and auto-focusing. Also, newcomers to DSLR shooting will appreciate the help display screen on the 2.7-inch LCD which pictorially explains how altering aperture, speed and depth of field will enhance your photos.

Picture quality remains resolutely impressive and however uncomfortable you might feel with the new controls layout, colours remain sharp and vivid even in low light settings up to ISO 400, plus you do have RAW capability.

Verdict
Whether or not this is your first venture into DSLR photography, the A330 is a lightweight, quick-to-understand model with superior AF Live View and high quality imagery, which nevertheless suffers from niggling design flaws.

Company: Sony

Contact: 08705 111 999

Tags: hdmi liquid crystal display sony memory stick digital single-lens reflex camera universal serial bus steadyshot jessops