Sony A200 18-70mm Kit Deal?

Question

To all the Camera Gurus..

I Have got a deal for a Sony A200 18-70mm Kit with extra lens, 4 gig Card and Case for $1000 AUD.

Is this a bargin? or Rip off?

Advise needed, I am also realy confused with my decision Nikon D60 or Sony A200 they both look the same they feel the same very similar deals.

But Which One?

Thank you Pros!

Answer 1

Actually Sony is about to release a full frame camera using a 24MP CMOS sensor. Pro level camera for those wondering.

Sony may not have as many choices of lenses right now but it is no push-over brand either.

With Sony you get an image stabilised body, meaning you don't have to buy dedicated VR (Nikon) or IS (Canon) lenses just to get image stabilisation. Any compatible lens you care to strap on is automatically image stabilised, even macro lenses! Sony calls it 'Super Steady Shot'

Also Sony offers you auto-focussing Carl Zeiss lenses - the latest being a 24-70mm F/2.8 lens with SSM (similar to Canon's  USM).

Another feature available in Sony dSLRs is the DRO (Dynamic Range Optimizer). It let's you get better dynamic range between dark shadows and highlights. Pick up the A700 and set DRO level to +5 and you can get an almost HDR effect for your pics. The A200/A300/A350 has only DR and DR+ levels.

Oh, BTW when I mentioned that Sony has less lenses, it applies only to Sony branded lenses. All the Sony Alphas are compatible with older Konica-Minolta AF lenses. Plenty to be had in the second hand market and you can even get legendary lenses such as the Konica-Minolta 200mm F/2.8 APO High Speed - arguably the fastest focussing lens in its focal range. Not forgetting the Konica-Minolta 70-210mm F/4 lens that is famous for its bokeh rendering.

Sony is the only brand that has a 135mm STF (Smooth Trans Focus) lens that is designed specifically to render smooth creamy bokeh.

Sony -- like.no.others

Answer 2

yeah sony is ok and all with there built in stableization but its not as good as having it in the lenses....nikon and canon will always be the first choice of pro or ameteur photographers. plus if you decide to go with sony...godd luck trying to find sony lenses in any local stores....im not sure what 1000AUD is in american dollars but here the a200 cost around 500 dollars. and the D60 is about 700 or 800 dollars. the nikons metering system is a lot better than sonys and the new nikon cameras have the EXPEED imaging system which is basically a whole new system designed individually for each camera.....

Answer 3

If you even THINK you will ever go pro, you will want the Nikon ... Only Nikon and Canon make pro level DSLR's (D3 and 1Ds Mark III).

Actually buying a Nikon D40 is a good strategy ... then in a few years, you can buy a newer Nikon ... either another entry level or if you become serious, one of the pro-bridge cameras like the current D300 (maybe a D400 by the time you are ready).  The money you save buying the D40 should free up some money so you can buy a second lens in a few months.