Sony or Nikon?

[MiltonGirl705]

Hey, so I know that this has been reviewed before, but I have some specific questions that I haven't been able to find.
I'm buying my first DSLR, and I want a beginner's camera, but I also want good quality. Right now I'm considering:
Nikon D3200 or D5100
Sony SLT A55 (or one of the similar A class)

Preferably I'll be buying these off of craigslist of ebay, so I'll narrow it down to a brand's product line and go for whatever I get. I also have a friend who has offered to sell me his old Nikon D70 for $150, but I don't like the megapixels (6) and other stats going along with it. It seems like I'd almost be better off with my old digital camera. Any opinions on that?

But back to my main point. I'm going to be taking a lot of sports (such as ice hockey) pictures, so I was considering the Sony because it has 10fps versus 3fps, as well as better picture quality and battery life. I've also heard that Sony's cameras aren't as well built. Is this something that I should worry about? Basically, which camera is the better buy for what I'm looking for. I don't really plan on upgrading in the near future, so I want something durable.

Hope this wasn't too much information. Thanks!

 

[Heitz]

I've not had the pleasure of trying any high-end Sony -- but the consumer models I've messed with in-store have been horrid. That said, I own a D5100 as a backup and remain very happy with it as an entry-level...but if given the option, the D3200 seems like it might be superior. Either Nikon will be more than adequate for a beginner.

 

[dxqcanada2 1]

I cannot provide any comparison feedback ... but I have not used either of those Nikons, so I cannot say how they compare to the SLT-A55.

The A55 battery life ... not so good, so if you do consider it make sure to get extra batteries.
I don't feel any particular issues with the manufacturing of the camera body ... I haven't broken anything yet, and I don't tend to baby my cameras.
I will say that not having an optional grip does suck.

 

[MiltonGirl705]

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming, I'm still on the fence.
Another question that I forgot to add: Are there any Nikons around the same price range that have a fast FPS to capture the puck?

 

[cgipson1]

Most indoor sports have low lighting... at least the way a camera sees light. That means fast glass (large apertures), and High ISO.... to get the shutter speed fast enough to stop the action. If you go out and do some research, you will see that every major non-biased review and testing site all say that the Sony's (all of them) have much poorer low light ability than Nikon and Canon. They are extremely noisy at anything over 1600. Also the viewing system they use can be very difficult to use in low light from everything I have read. (I have never used a Sony personally... But I did a lot of research toward the end of last year about the different bodies ... buying a gift (DSLR) for my girlfriend. I went with Nikon). Also keep in mind that if you ever do want higher end (PRO) bodies, glass, and accessories... Sony does not have any PRO equipment! So you can't upgrade.....

The fast FPS is a joke if you can't use it when you want it. I prefer to take the shots I want.. instead of doing the "Spray and Pray" routine.. and hope I get a decent shot! Good luck with your search!

 

[djacobox372]

A Nikon d300 has pro quality features and build and can shoot 8fps if u add a grip to it. I think its 6fps without.

 

[morganza]

I'd personally go for the D3200, one of my friends has it and as i got to have my share of time with it, i really liked it.

 

[orb9220]

"I'm going to be taking a lot of sports (such as ice hockey) pictures, so I was considering the Sony because it has 10fps versus 3fps, as well as better picture quality and battery life."

As pointed out indoors lower light situations coupled with needing fast FPS. Forget about sony 10 fps doesn't mean much if they come out noisey pics as a result of needing high iso. Also FPS doesn't mean much if the camera is struggling to get a AF lock in difficult low light situations.

Choice for the job you specified would be the D7000>D300>D90 before I would even consider an entry camera like the D3200 that lacks many of the dedicated controls,faster AF lock,and Bigger Brighter viewfinder when I need to change a setting on the fly without my eye leaving the viewfinder during fast paced subject changing situations.

And for me fast access to dedicated controls and superior AF stage for fast focusing on fast glass is just as important as sensor performance consideration. So fast glass is also as important consideration.

And as you picked a most difficult situation for shooting in. And going entry level with kit lenses isn't the answer as far as I am concerned for me. And this comes from personal experience starting out with an entry camera and frustrated by the 9th month with it's lack of features and controls.

Also lacking knowledge and technique in knowing your camera and lens capabilities and knowing how to shoot sports or action with it requires a lot of practice and learning to shoot it. And I want a camera that I can grow into with more capabilities out the gate would make it a much easier and less frustrating task.
.

 

[Designer]

Preferably I'll be buying these off of craigslist of ebay, so I'll narrow it down to a brand's product line and go for whatever I get. I also have a friend who has offered to sell me his old Nikon D70 for $150, but I don't like the megapixels (6) and other stats going along with it. It seems like I'd almost be better off with my old digital camera. Any opinions on that?

Personally, I have experienced nothing but bad with CL. You are considering trying to find a fairly recent camera at a "used camera" price. My advice would be to buy your friend's camera and try to wear it out in a year or two. Meanwhile, you can save up for a better one while you try to wear out the D70. You didn't say what lens comes with it, but it seems like a good deal to me with nearly any lens that works.

Please don't assume that your first pictures will be of professional quality where someone will want to make a huge poster-sized print. As for shooting in burst mode, I can't say if that is a good strategy or not.

 

[Kolia]

Get your friends camera and figure out your style before moving in any direction.

 

[gryffinwings]

A Nikon d300 has pro quality features and build and can shoot 8fps if u add a grip to it. I think its 6fps without.

I second this, this camera will have more dedicated controls that you would need to shoot sports and it will allow you to use older lens that require an in camera focus motor to focus with, which will possibly allow you to buy the better glass you need to shoot indoor sports.

 

[jaomul]

Get your friends camera and figure out your style before moving in any direction.

This makes sense. You be getting a very capable camera for smallish money, it may prove to limit you in the long run but you will have figured out what you need by then. Later you could probably sell it for what your buying it now. You mention wanting to shoot sports and although i like the direction sony are moving, as of now a proper optical viewfinder is the preferred option over evf for most sports shooters

 

[TonysTouch]

I also have a friend who has offered to sell me his old Nikon D70 for $150, but I don't like the megapixels (6) and other stats going along with it. It seems like I'd almost be better off with my old digital camera.

With a 6.3 mp sensor, you can get great prints at 8x10. So I wouldn't put as much thought into the megapixel size. If I were you I would take that D70 and learn with it. You are not going to truly know what you want and need in a camera until you get acquainted with DSLR's. You have the opportunity to get a decent camera at a great price. I would use and abuse that thing. Then when you have outgrown the camera, you will have an understanding in what you want from a camera. It's like buying a car. The first time you buy one you probably don't know what you need. But by the time you run it into the ground, you have a pretty good idea of what you want.

 

[cgipson1]

If you are serious about this.. I would look at the D7000.... great low light capability for a DX... and decent FPS. A lot of good features also. I would also look at getting a 80-200 2.8 lens used..... you will need it.

That is the bare minimum I would even recommend for what you are wanting to do.....

 

[pixmedic1 1]

the D70 has the focus motor in body so you can still use any AF lens with that camera. $150 doesn't sound like a bad deal at all. your going to have to spend a LOT more money if you want something with the FPS you want.