Pentax or Sony for a beginner trying to become a photographer?

Question

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644543353

or

http://www.pentaxslr.com/bodies/k100

The lady at Ritz camera told me to get the K100

Answer 1

They are both good cameras, but I'd go for something with a wider array of lenses and other accessories, for future growth with your camera.  Look at the Canon XSi, or 40D or the Nikon D40 or D60.. either will get you off to a good start.

Check out the cameras at http://dpreview.com ... compare them side by side, and read the reviews.. then handle each camera, and try them with different lenses in the store.  (personally I find the staff at Ritz to know very little about their stock, other than to push whatever is on sale, or slow selling items).

Answer 2

Why don't you handle each one and see which body feels better to you? Button placements, menu system, ergonomics etc. Find out which systems lenses you will need for your type of photography. The lenses will last a lot longer than the body.    I don't know about Sony lenses but the Pentax system has about 2 million lenses to choose from w/wo an adapter, manual and auto.

Answer 3

I would suggest the Sony because their cameras are always of high quality. I also suggest you checking out the Canons- afterall Canon does specialize in Cameras.

Answer 4

I would pick the sony. Thing is with dslr the lens you buy will outlast the camera. So when you pick a brand you will stay with that brand. I don't believe pentax will be around 10 years from now or at least they will still only have a small market share. Sony sells there sensor to nikon. so they're basicly the same camera. Nikon has done a better job at high iso using he same sensor.

I would look at the nikon 60 it's alongthe lines of the sony. If you go with the nikon 60 you can buy  a vr lens that is a "anti shake" lens for the same price as the sony.

You will find a lot of people will tell you to go with one brand over another because that's the brand they picked years ago. And now they will never change.

sony nikon canon are the cameras i would buy. I would pick the one that is in our pirce range, has a view finder works the best for you, what one has the size/weight ratio that works best, and last one what fits your hand the best.

i own a sony i'm buying a highend nikon (two cameras i like)

Every camera from the 3 above had a strong points and bad points

Answer 5

Sony Alpha is way better.  The anti shake is worth its weight in gold.  Also, sony accepts all the older minolta AF lenses, so you have a variety of lenses to buy on ebay for cheap.

I wouldn't go for the canon or nikon as the persons above suggested...the anti shake built into the camera on the alpha lines means that you can handhold for upto 3 stops longer.  That doesnt mean much to you now, but after you try to shoot in doors you will know what I mean.