Should I Get This DSLR Camera?

Question

Sony Alpha DSLR-A350

Likes:

DSLR

14 Mega Pixels

Stylish

Inexpensive

Display

Dislikes:

Sony

Answer 1

This is a Nice camera, but you have to realize, when you buy a Digital SLR you don't just buy the camera, you buy the line. Sony lenses are very expensive, and harder to find. I find them unnecessarily expensive because they don't have IS, because IS is in the body. I have a Nikon Digital SLR camera, i like it a lot. The lenses are rather cheap, and you get what you pay for.  

Answer 2

Another camera that has built in IS and a 14.6 MP sensor is the Pentax K20D. It isn't well known as the Canon and Nikon cameras but for all the features it has for the price, it's a bargain at $1170 at Amazon.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pe...

Answer 3

While the image stabilization may be in the body, it doesn't perform as well as IS in a lens. There's a reason the two major camera makers keep the IS in the lens.

Besides, all of your likes (not that a lot of them are truly important) can be found in the Canon XSi.

Answer 4

I wouldn't get it... Sony lenses are expensive and hard to find.  I'd stick with Canon or Nikon.

Go to http://dpreview.com and compare the different DSLR cameras side by side... read the reviews.. then go to sites like http://adorama.com or http://bhphotovideo.com and see what lenses are available for each camera you are interested in.

Finally go to a real camera store, and handle the different cameras that you like, try them with different lenses, and buy the one which fits you best.

The 14MP means nothing unless you are planning on magazine print work or blowing up your photos to poster size.  Stylish ?? that's the least of my concerns when buying a caemra.

If you want to go inexpensive you can pick up a Canon XTi or a Nikon 60D for a fairly low price, and lenses starting at about $100 dollars.  You'll be able to grow more with these cameras than with a Sony.

Sony should stick to tvs and stereos..

Answer 5

The Sony name isn't as well known in the DSLR market as Canon or Nikon. Sony purchased Konica-Minolta and many of there lenses will fit the Sony A series.Sony has image stabilization on the body not the lens. Every lens you mount will be stabilized.Price a stabilized lens from Canon or Nikon they are Much more expensive. And the whole idea behind buying a DSLR is having interchangeable lenses. Sony makes many of the components that go into both Canon and Nikon camera's.They know something about photography.It was only natural for them to buy Konica-Minolta. The Sony Alpha line is more Konica-Minolta than it is Sony. I think they are the best bang for the buck in the entry level DSLR market. I did a lot of research before I bought my A-100 2 years ago,and am still happy with it.

Answer 6

Is there a reason you do not want to buy a Nikon or Canon?

Stylish never produced great images.

14 mp is not a big deal, but it will fill your memory cards very quickly

Live view is mostly a gimmick and will use battery power VERY quickly.

On pixel counts:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.h...

One of the largest complaints here is taking blurry pictures ... this is mostly caused by camera movement.  You can just about guarantee camera movement if you attempt to hold a 2 pound plus camera/lens combination at arms length in an attempt to use a DSLR as you would an inexpensive P&S camera.

Unless you are shooting through a microscope or telescope, live view has no place in the realm of serious photography ... use the viewfinder.  Pros and advanced amateurs have been using viewfinders to produce perfectly composed and exposed images since the late 1950's

On Amazon .. Nikon D40 with 18-55 mm lens, under $470

On Amazon .. Canon XTi with 18-55 mm lens, under $580

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/rebel-x...

Bottom line?

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamer...