Sony A380

A few welcome touches, but the 14-megapixel resolution does more to damage image quality than improve it compared with the similar A330.

Sony DSLR-A380 review, find out how the DSLR-A380 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

Here are the best DSLR cameras selling for less than $2,000, including top picks for beginners, hobbyists and video shooters.

The new entry-level DSLR from Sony faces tough competition from similar models in its class.

An entry-level DSLR with features that can help novice photographers to discover the benefits of SLR photography. Sony's DSLR A380 is the top model in a suite of three Alpha DSLR cameras that were announced in late May. Ninety-two grams lighter than its predecessor, the 14.2-megapixel A380 replaces the DSLR-A350 in Sony's line-up. The new camera has been designed for newcomers to SLR photography and boasts a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen, SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilisation and dual slots that accommodate Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (Full functionality is not guaranteed with Memory Stick Duo cards).

In January last year Sony was one of the first manufacturers to 'diversify' its entry level DSLR offerings when it replaced the DSLR-A100 with not one but three new cameras - the DSLR-A200, A300 and A350. Now, one and a half years later, the product hierarchy in Sony's entry-level segment remains unchanged and the current models are being replaced by the DSLR-A230, A330 and A380 respectively.

A mid-range DSLR for enthusiastic amateurs

Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Sony's new DSLR takes on recent efforts from Canon and Nikon

Sony has had a bad year in its LCD TV and games business but seems to have a winner in its DSLR cameras. Supporting this success, the company has fed the market with a stream of models to satisfy a variety of budgets and requirements. Now three models: Sony Alpha 230, 330 and 380. The

Sony have revamped their entry- and mid-range DSLR cameras for 2009, with the A380 replacing the A350 as the most sophisticated model. The Sony A380 retains all the key features of its predecessor - 2.7 inch tilting LCD screen, Live View, anti-dust system, ISO range of 100-3200, body anti-shake system, eye-start auto-focus system and Dynamic Range Optimiser - whilst updating the design and user interface to supposedly make it easier to use. Find out if Sony's designers have been successful by reading our in-depth review of the £700 / $850 Sony A380 DSLR.

A mid-range DSLR for enthusiastic amateurs

Sony Alpha 380 review. Test, specifications and images of the Sony A380 digital SLR

DPReview has posted their review (“delivers significantly faster live view AF speeds than the competition”) of the Sony alpha DSLR-A380 [Specs], with 14.2MP resolution (on a 23.5 x 15.7…