Manual: User selects shutter speed and aperture.Shutter Priority: User selects shutter speed, camera sets aperture.

Aperture Priority: User selects lens aperture, camera sets shutter speed.

Program: Camera uses automatic exposure while retaining custom settings.

Auto: Camera uses default settings to “easily shoot any subject under any conditions”.

Every mode option on the camera is accessed via the mode dial, which includes the following shot capture settings: Like most consumer DSLRs, the A350 goes beyond P/A/S/M shooting modes with a small selection of scene presets as well. Packed with an 18-70mm kit lens (more on that a little later in this section), the A350 uses the Alpha lens mount that Sony inherited from Konica-Minolta, making the camera compatible with DSLR glass from either manufacturer. The A350 is one of the few DSLRs in the consumer space to hang onto CF memory instead of moving to a more compact format, and it’s a bit surprising that Sony didn’t incorporate a MemoryStick slot in place of or in addition to CF compatibility. The A350 uses a 40-area multi-segment metering system by default, and Sony’s D-Range Optimizer tools can be used to bring out contrast-elided details in high-contrast shots. In-body image stabilization, a reasonably powerful pop-up flash, eye-start AF and nine focus points, and a list of Creative Style preset JPEG processing options provide additional goodies for A350 shooters. The A350’s tilting Clear Photo LCD is relatively unique as well, making it easy to “shoot from the hip” (or over your head, for that matter) with the camera in live view mode.

Sony a350 guide