What entry level SLR?

Question

I have narrowed it down to Sony A200 or Canon XS... Any help will be much appreciated!

Answer 1

Canon.

Canon has been making cameras since at least the 1950s. They have much more experience making lenses.  Sony started in, what, 1998?

You will also have a great variety of lenses on the used market with Canon. You can even use many older Canon EF lenses from film SLR cameras . This translates into a greater variety and lower price. (I'm not sure which mount Sony uses.)

Answer 2

Why don't you read Popular Photography's "DSLR Shootout!"

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5429/dsl...

Answer 3

this is my opinion:

the XS isn't even out yet, and usually, when they first get the camera, and when they release it, there is usually little issues with the cameras, which they fix later. This camera is just coming out, you should give it like a few month to gain a good reputation before you buy it. I would never just buy a new DSLR without letting the camera gain a really nice reputation.

However, the A200, has a really nice reputation, and has a larger screen than the XS, it has a 2.7" compared the the XS's 2.5" screen. None of them have live view, you have to pay more for that. From a financial stantpoint, the A200 is the better buy, despite the two less megapixels. That doesn't really matter when you think about it that much..

if i were you, i would get the a200, with the saved money, you could get some more lenses to go with this camera.

Answer 4

I would choose the Cannon.

Answer 5

Canon XS vs. Sony A200:

Sony’s entry-level DSLR is the Alpha A200. It shares the same 10 Megapixel resolution as the new EOS 1000D / XS, along with the same 3fps continuous shooting rate. The A200’s screen is slightly larger at 2.7in, it has a higher 3200 ISO sensitivity, a more sophisticated 9-point AF system, spot metering and tells you exactly what percentage of battery life is remaining. The Sony’s trump card though is built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach – a key benefit – and the Sony also comes with a slightly longer kit zoom with an 18-70mm range.

What the Sony A200 doesn’t have though is Live View – for that you’ll need to go for the pricier A300 or A350 models. So Live View is a key advantage of the Canon EOS 1000D / XS, but many people will still be swayed to what’s arguably the richer overall feature set of the A200.

Answer 6

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslr...

It's best to try out both cameras before buying, but this website is actually an excellent resource.

It's hard to personally comment as the XS is brand new and I haven't seen it yet, but generally I would probably take the Canon over the Sony.  Of course not before trying it out for myself.

Answer 7

Go with the Canon. I've played with both Canon and Sony SLRs and I've found the Canon ones to be quite superior. Also, since Canon is more established you'll have a better selection of lenses.

Answer 8

For approximately $100 more you can get the Sony A300 which has Live View that actually works with the AF. While some will dismiss Live View on a DSLR, its actually useful in some situations. Suppose you're in a crowd and the only way to get a picture is to hold the camera over your head. Just flip the view screen down and you can compose, focus and shoot. If you're shooting at ground level, just flip the screen up.

Keep in mind that Sony has their version of Image Stabilization ((IS) in the camera body. Any lens you use will have that benefit and thus you don't have to pay extra for it when you buy a lens.

Don't be concerned by the availability of lenses for the A300. Sony currently lists 26 lenses in their catalog, has introduced a Carl Zeiss "ZA" line of lenses and every legacy Minolta Maxxum AF lens made since 1985 is compatible. Most all of the accessories for the Konica-Minolta* D5 & D7 DSLR cameras are fully compatible with the Sony "Alpha" series DSLR cameras.

You can read a review of the A200, A300 and A350 in the Aug. 2008 issue of Shutterbug Magazine. Or you can go to http://www.shutterbug.com if you don't want to buy the magazine.

For more information on Minolta Maxxum/Konica-Minolta/Sony accessories compatibility, check these sites:

http://www.alphatracks.com

http://www.dyxum.com

http://www.photoclubalpha.com

* Minolta and Konica merged in 2003. In 2006 they quit the camera business and Sony bought the rights to their DSLR line. Sony re-branded several lenses and flash units so the user groups listed should help you figure out what to buy on eBay or Craigslist that says Minolta Maxxum or Konica-Minolta and is fully compatible with the A300.