The Nikon D40 or the Sony alpha 200K??Best answer ten points?

Question

I'm going to get a DSLR camera and i've narrowed it down to these two. They are both in my price rang which is 500 i can't go over it so please don't suggest any others that are more expensive. But I'm a beginner to photography so which one do you think is better??

Answer 1

I recently bought a Nikon D40 - I do like it and am still learning my way around it.  Personally I prefer my good old film cameras but I think the D40 is a good purchase.  As mentioned Nikon has been around for a long time and they have 24/7 support for questions or problems.  

Answer 2

I would go with the Nikon, though anything Sony is always good quality.

-if you do go with Nikon, don't get a D40(x). You will narrow your choice with compatible lenses etc.

Good Luck!

(personally, wait a bit longer and get a Nikon D60, sorry lol)

Answer 3

In my opinion Nikon is the best. I have a Nikon camera and it takes VERY good pictures. I love it! Get the Nikon, you won't regret it.

Answer 4

definitely nikon d40

nikons are flippin amazing

im a beginner and i have a nikon. its sweeeeet. and user friendly

Answer 5

What are your ultimate goals ... If you have any thought of possibly going pro, then the Nikon is the only choice.  Sony has only been it the still camera business for a short time ... Nikon has been making 35 mm SLR's since 1959 and some of those early lenses still are usable on Nikon Digital SLR's.

Just because you are a beginner, does not mean you will want to buy a camera with a limited system

My first camera was an old Leica ... one of the best cameras made.

Look for the deal on Nikon D40's on Amazon ... camera and lens for under $470

Answer 6

Here is my view on this, take it or leave it for what it's worth. There is no doubt that Sony is always high quality merchandise. But think of it this way, would you rather buy a car from a company such as Toyota, or any manufacturer that has been in the business of building quality cars for many many years, ... or would you rather buy a car from a company with little history of building cars, no matter how good other things they build may be? That is how I view the Nikon vs. Sony question. Nikon is a long time established producer of some of the best still cameras ever made. Sony, on the other hand, has been in the electronics business a long time, but has only come into the SLR still camera business with the advent of the more electronic based digital camera. Sony has made great video cameras for a long time, and I would not hesitate a second to buy a Sony video camera over a Nikon video camera, (if they made one). But I like buying from manufacturers with a "track record" of quality products pertaining to what I am buying. So in this case, I wouild most definitely buy Nikon over the Sony still camera.

steve

Answer 7

The sony. Sony makes it's products to last ten years and they have better quality in my opinion.

Answer 8

Broadway Photo (online) has a WONDERFUL deal on the Sony a200 right now. My friend actually just ordered one. Check it out.  

Answer 9

One of my biggest complaints about the Sony A200 is the fact that it has no rear grip for your thumb. While the Nikon D40 does not either, it does have a better textured back and an indented area for your thumb; the A200's back is pushed out, making it very difficult to hold. Other than that, the Nikon has a more powerful optical system behind it. Sony is compatible with a few Minolta lenses, but unless you have a stockpile of AF Minolta glass, I would not suggest buying the Sony for this reason. The A200 does have in-body image stabilization, but frankly, it does not work as well as most people are led to believe. (You cannot even see the stabilization taking effect). Lens based stabilization is much better, as you will notice if you compare a Nikon VR lens to a Sony lens.

I'm not trying to say the A200 is a terrible product. What I'm trying to say is that for the money, there are much, much better choices out there for you.