moving up to dslr , need help deciding which.

trey1010 · Apr 2, 2013

Hey everone! Okay, me and my wife will be having our first child within the next two weeks and
She has given me the task of finding a "new" camera. I am interested in thw Nikon 3100 and then my uncle
Has a sony a380 with a 75-300mm,18-55, 18-70 with a external flash he will sell me for 250. I am torn because I
Can not find many reviews on the a380. Any help or recommendations would be great.

Juga · Apr 2, 2013

Congrats on the baby! As for the camera situation...it really is up to you. Do research on what you are looking for and what you want. Go and try out cameras at best buy or somewhere and get a feel for what is out there.

trey1010 · Apr 3, 2013

Thank you! I am excited! Okay well I am just having a hard time deciding if the a380 is a good deal. It I get that one and spend 250 rather
Than 400-600 that I originally planned I can't invest a little in a decent editing software. But I have noticed since it is not a nikon
Or canon there is not as much reviews online. Ill try to make it to best buy this evening and hold a few cameras.

ph0enix · Apr 3, 2013

The a380 with 3 lenses and a flash for $250 seems like a no-brainer. Get it and save the rest of the money you were planning to spend for diapers

The D3100 is slightly better in terms of low light performance but the difference is negligible.

duhast · Apr 3, 2013

Side-by-side camera comparison: Digital Photography Review

cgipson1 · Apr 3, 2013

Depends on what you want to spend... but I would go with the Nikon personally....

SONY A380 (read the cons) http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra380

Conclusion - Pros

Good JPEG output at base ISO (but sometimes poor low contrast detail, improves visibly when shooting in RAW)
Good JPEG resolution
Reliable metering
Fastest AF in live view (but see disadvantages below)
Coherent ergonomics for live view operation
Probably the easiest DSLR to use for a compact camera user
Tilting screen useful for over-head or waist-level shooting (not in portrait orientation though)
Effective image stabilization system (SteadyShot inside)
Wireless flash capability
Help guides useful for new users of the camera and beginners
Decent 18-55m kit lens
Simple but decent RAW converter included in the package (Image Data Converter)

Conclusion - Cons

Visible blurring of fine detail in JPEGs from ISO 200 upwards (unacceptable IMO)
High ISO performance not on the same level as direct competitors (very noisy at anything over BASE ISO IMO)
Smallest viewfinder of any APS-C DSLR
Protruding screen obstructs use of viewfinder, especially if you're wearing glasses
Limited external controls
No on-screen user interface for changing of shooting parameters
Sometimes convoluted operation (AF-point selection, index-view)
No magnification and only 90% frame coverage in live view make precise framing and selective focusing very difficult
Sometimes less responsive than the competition (record review)
Poor continuous shooting rate
Poor battery life
No video-out jack means images cannot be displayed on older TVs
Small, relatively low-power flash
Noise reduction is not adjustable
Unreliable white balance under artificial light
Custom white-balance not 100% reliable and not fine-tuna

D3100 Nikon D3100 Review: Digital Photography Review

Conclusion - Pros

Very good image quality
Unintimidating interface, but with plenty of manual control
Easily accessible Live View and Movie controls
Useful drive mode lever (unique on an SLR at this price level)
Highly sophisticated AF system for the price
Easy manual selection of off-centre AF points
Unusually fast Live View AF for an SLR (but still relatively slow compared to mirrorless competitors)
Lots of 'hand-holding' features for beginners (Guide mode, help screens for most functions)
Much improved continuous shooting performance with Active D-Lighting turned on
Lots of in-camera raw conversion and post-processing options

Conclusion - Cons

Slight tendency to overexpose in contrasty conditions
Buggy Live View / Movie Mode (movies aren't necessarily recorded at set aperture)
Crude live view magnification is of little help for critical manual focus
No live histogram in live view
AF still a little sluggish in live view mode, full-time AF not very effective in live view or movies
Only direct external ISO control is via slightly inconveniently-placed 'Fn' button
ISO is only displayed in viewfinder when it's being changed (and not at all in Auto ISO)
Auto ISO logic is not well-suited for everyday casual shooting (good for action though)
White balance often excessively orange under artificial light
No exposure bracketing
Will not focus all Nikon lenses (though most popular choices are available)

trey1010 · Apr 3, 2013

I really appreciate the feedback everyone. For now I went ahead and bought the sony a380 from my uncle and
He gave me the lenses I mentioned before and also a Tamron sp 10-24mm 1:35-4.5 for a total of 250!