Hi guys,

 

I've been looking into getting a DSLR for a little while now, most of my frieds have Canon DSLR namely the 450D and 400D.

 

I'm not a massively keen photographer but would like to be able to take some better pictures than I am able with the Canon Ixus that I have...

 

Now the thing is that for the amount I'd use it the Canon is a little expensive at aroung £500. I've been doing some research and found that the Sony A200 is quite highly regarded and at £300 quite a good price.

 

Thing is my mates with the Canons immediately jumped on their High horse about Sony not making 'Proper Cameras'. I know that Sony bought Konica Minolta in 2006 so I feel that this is unfair, they do have a point though when it comes to Lens selection.

 

So has anyone got any experience with the Sony Camera and what are your thoughts on them?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give and sorry for the long post!!!! :bow::duffer:

 

Regards

 

Paul

Depends on how serious you want to get, I had the 450D and the flexibility is great, the lens choice is also a lot greater for the canon, and sigma do a a large range of canon fit products.

 

saying that the Sony is not far behind and in fact has a larger ISO range. Being into photography for a while now, I would opt for the Sony if you plan to stay as a keen amateur.

 

People can be quite snobby when it comes to Camera's, it was the same when the switch to digital came about. Sony has always had the rep of a point and shoot camera. but the A200 is actually quite versatile

The Sony DSLR cameras are just as good as the Canons.

The only advantage with the Canons would be their huge range of lenses and accessories available, but for 99.9% of people, that's irrelevant as they only buy a couple of lenses and a flash.

 

Unfortunately you are indeed experiencing the old brand snobbery (it's similar to the TT v NA snobbery ;)).

 

I have a Sony a100 and it's a cracking camera. I know Canons are superb too.

 

The only thing you really need to ask is whether you really need an SLR or just a better/different 'compact' camera?

 

Graham.

£259 next day delivery. Don't bother with the 2mb card you can get them cheaper eslewhere

 

http://www.buyacamera.co.uk/xsearch.asp?searchtype=name&searchfor=sonyalpha&gclid=CN70utTJopsCFY4U4wodxTOg0Q

this is a good site to help you out

http://www.dpreview.com/

i use canon and nikon depending what is been shot for sports its this camera http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos1dmkiii.asp for landscapes and genral out side shots i use a nikon DX40 as its cheap soon to be upgraded to a D300. to get me started into DSLR i used a lumix which was a grest camrea to learn photography and there new G1 is getting rave reviews and awards. you need to try a few to see whats good for you and you like using.

Fantastic Info Guys!!!! I thought it might be the Brand Snobbery coming out but just wondered if there was something else.

 

Thanks again Guys!!!!! :bow::bow::duffer: :duffer:

Well from what i've head and seen of the A200 its a pretty good camera for the money, i personally went down the 2nd hand canon route due to the fact one was goin very cheap and 2nd hand stuff is in plentiful supply. Best thing to do is go have a feel for some of them in a shop, you want something that fits well in your hand, i find the entry level stuff like the 450d too small for my hands and also the bigger stuff has the all metal bodies and is more balanced in your hand.

 

I was a complete novice when i started, so read a few books "Understanding Exposure" is great for about 12 quid from amazon, really explains the ins and outs in a not too technical manner, also there are some free lessons on the internet if you search that explain more about composition, rule of thirds etc.

Cheers mate... I shall go and look that book up now!

I have the Sony A200 with the 18-70 lens and the 75-300 lens with UV, polarizer, and FLD filters, with a Lowepro bag. Camera base and standard lens was £265 (Dixons), 75-300 lens was £90 (Amazon),filters £15 (Amazon), bag £10 (E-bay). I checked the web for all the info and Sony came out the best for your first DSLR. It is a great camera and easy to use, just click and shoot, or you can play, and shoot. I have had many bad pics, but far many good pics taken with my A200.

 

Al.

 

(The pics in my ride where taken with my A200 with the UV filter)