Built-in Optical Stabilization good for up to 3 stops across zoom range.
Articulated LCD for those rare moments that you need it.

Crippled user interface, no easy way to select focus points.
Crippled Program mode, fixed aperture and shuttle, no adjustable.
Poor lens selection compared to Nikon.
Tiny hand grip.
Poor ISO400 PQ.

I got this Sony DSLR-A330 refurbrished with the 18-55mm kit lens from Sonystyle.com for $280 + Tax. Condition is like new. Mostly just because it's so cheap, and I like the flip LCD and built-in OS. The kit lens feels REAL cheap, PQ is fine, no complain. I then got a Tamron 28-200 zoom on ebay for about $60. And I LOVE the built-in OS, it's good for 3 stops across the zoom range. I got good results with 35mm@1/4 and 200mm@1/25s. I'm writing this review just to applaud on the OS feature, Why can't my Nikon or Canon have that built-in? I would LOVE to have that feature added to my collection of F-mount lenses.
Live View is fast, but the image on the LCD is very poor, can't see myself using it unless I actually need to use the articulated LCD.
The built quality is fine for an entry level. I like it alittle better then Canon, less then Nikon.
The hand grip is too small, and I have small hands. Feel just barely holding on with the Tamron 28-200mm.
PQ is fine at ISO100, poor at ISO400, OK at ISO3200 (considering it;'s 3200).
The WORST thing with the a330 is the crippled user interface, like the Canon Rebels. It has 9 point focus, but I can't select the focus point easily with the 4 way controller, have to dig deep into the menu. And EVEN WORST the program exposure is FIXED. What the hell, that's not program mode that's auto. Will have the use aperture or shutter priority to get control.
At least it has way to get to slow and rear flash mode, unlike the crippled Canon Rebel.
And now that I started to look at Sony Lenses, they are very expensive for what they offer. Well, they cost as much as Nikons, but they aint Nikons. Until they earn the reputation, I just treat them as third party lens. And I haven't see them on sale much. And even the used Minolta AF mount market is alittle limited, they cost almost as much as the used Nikons. The only good value on the lenses that I see are the third party non VR/OS slow super zoom and long zoom, which are dirt cheap but practically useless on Canons and Nikons, And the Minolta 50mm 1.7, assuming it is as sharp as the Nikon/Canon eq. Also, old Minolta MF doesn't work, limiting lens selection.
Final conclusion, good DSLR for vacation, fast and light and cheap on sale.
But built-in OS is limited by limited lens selection.
I won't use it for absolutely critical work, also due to limited lens selection.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D40x, D200. Canon XTi.