Sony Alpha series

[ziggy84]

Hi all,

So I'm looking to buy a digital camera very soon, and was wondering about the Sony Alpha's because they look small like a point-and-shoot, but with bigger lenses. My question is, what do these cameras, if at all, give up compared to say the Rebels and the D series(Or even the bigger Alpha series cams) that are much bulkier then the Sony? Am I better off just buying one of the bulkier cameras in the long run? Thanks

 

[DiskoJoe]

Well chicks do like em bigger...

 

[ConradM]

Hi all,

So I'm looking to buy a digital camera very soon, and was wondering about the Sony Alpha's because they look small like a point-and-shoot, but with bigger lenses. My question is, what do these cameras, if at all, give up compared to say the Rebels and the D series(Or even the bigger Alpha series cams) that are much bulkier then the Sony? Am I better off just buying one of the bulkier cameras in the long run? Thanks

Well the only Alpha that's still small is the A37 I believe. Compared to a Canikon costing similar it gives up nothing and actually has many advantages because of SLT.

 

[ziggy84]

Well chicks do like em bigger...

haha...So what are the better digitals out there? I mean is there really a big difference between Cannon and Nikon? Just about the same, right?

 

[cosmonaut]

Maybe this will help.
Compare camera dimensions side by side

 

[ziggy84]

Maybe this will help.
Compare camera dimensions side by side

Thanks Cosmonaut. What I meant by "difference" was in the quality and technology wise. I always hear how Nikon people say Nikon is better, and vise versa. Correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't they the two best camera companies on the block?

 

[ConradM]

Maybe this will help.
Compare camera dimensions side by side

Thanks Cosmonaut. What I meant by "difference" was in the quality and technology wise. I always hear how Nikon people say Nikon is better, and vise versa. Correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't they the two best camera companies on the block?

I can't comment on mid to high end DSLR's but Sony's IMO pull ahead in the entry level section. They offer more "wiz bang" features like higher FPS, IBIS, Focus motors, Higher Dynamic Range, Actual representation of what your picture is going to look like through the view finder.... etc

If your budget is less than say $600 for a body I see no reason to get a Canon or a Nikon over a Sony. People will try to argue that Sony doesn't offer as many lenses. But chances are, if someone is shopping for an entry level camera, "only" having 100+ lens to choose from isn't a big deal.

 

[ziggy84]

Maybe this will help.
Compare camera dimensions side by side

Thanks Cosmonaut. What I meant by "difference" was in the quality and technology wise. I always hear how Nikon people say Nikon is better, and vise versa. Correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't they the two best camera companies on the block?

I can't comment on mid to high end DSLR's but Sony's IMO pull ahead in the entry level section. They offer more "wiz bang" features like higher FPS, IBIS, Focus motors, Higher Dynamic Range, Actual representation of what your picture is going to look like through the view finder.... etc

If your budget is less than say $600 for a body I see no reason to get a Canon or a Nikon over a Sony. People will try to argue that Sony doesn't offer as many lenses. But chances are, if someone is shopping for an entry level camera, "only" having 100+ lens to choose from isn't a big deal.

Hey ConradM. Thanks for the info. Interesting. My budget is somewhere in that area. I was looking to spend around $600-$1000, maybe a few hundred dollars more for a camera with a lenses. With that price range, what do you think?

 

[ConradM]

You could pick up an A57 and a 16-50 f2.8 for a little over a grand. Or you could pick up an A65 with the standard 18-55 kit lens and a Prime.

If I were shopping for new gear right now I would go with the cheaper body and f2.8 lens.

 

[ziggy84]

You could pick up an A57 and a 16-50 f2.8 for a little over a grand. Or you could pick up an A65 with the standard 18-55 kit lens and a Prime.

If I were shopping for new gear right now I would go with the cheaper body and f2.8 lens.

What do you mean by and a Prime?

 

[ziggy84]

You could pick up an A57 and a 16-50 f2.8 for a little over a grand. Or you could pick up an A65 with the standard 18-55 kit lens and a Prime.

If I were shopping for new gear right now I would go with the cheaper body and f2.8 lens.

What do you mean by and a Prime?

So $1000 is considered entry level? haha geez.

 

[ConradM]

You could pick up an A57 and a 16-50 f2.8 for a little over a grand. Or you could pick up an A65 with the standard 18-55 kit lens and a Prime.

If I were shopping for new gear right now I would go with the cheaper body and f2.8 lens.

What do you mean by and a Prime?

A prime is a lens that doesn't zoom. A 35 or 50mm is what most people start with. The reason to get a prime is because they're affordable and have superior picture quality compared to cheaper zoom lenses.

 

[ConradM]

You could pick up an A57 and a 16-50 f2.8 for a little over a grand. Or you could pick up an A65 with the standard 18-55 kit lens and a Prime.

If I were shopping for new gear right now I would go with the cheaper body and f2.8 lens.

What do you mean by and a Prime?

So $1000 is considered entry level? haha geez.

You put that number out there not me.

 

[ziggy84]

You could pick up an A57 and a 16-50 f2.8 for a little over a grand. Or you could pick up an A65 with the standard 18-55 kit lens and a Prime.

If I were shopping for new gear right now I would go with the cheaper body and f2.8 lens.

What do you mean by and a Prime?

A prime is a lens that doesn't zoom. A 35 or 50mm is what most people start with. The reason to get a prime is because they're affordable and have superior picture quality compared to cheaper zoom lenses.

Okay, I gotcha. Ya makes sense. Less glass, less moving parts. So the SLT technology. What is the benefit over the SLR's? Just better reliability because less moving parts internally? B&H photo has the A57 with 18-135 lens for $750, and a 18-55 for $100 cheaper

 

[ziggy84]

What do you mean by and a Prime?

A prime is a lens that doesn't zoom. A 35 or 50mm is what most people start with. The reason to get a prime is because they're affordable and have superior picture quality compared to cheaper zoom lenses.

Okay, I gotcha. Ya makes sense. Less glass, less moving parts. So the SLT technology. What is the benefit over the SLR's? Just better reliability because less moving parts internally? B&H photo has the A57 with 18-135 lens for $750, and a 18-55 for $100 cheaper

I also saw they have the Nikon D5100 with 18-55, 55-200 VR lens, 16gb memory card, 2 UV filters, and camera bag for $796. Just sayin...haha