Birthe

I joined to see if I could find information that would help me choose what camera system to buy. After we had a burglary where my old Olympus E410 and lenses and some smaller cameras and a video camera got stolen I have a big chunk of money to spend on cameras.
People I know who are really into photography say, what I have also read on this page, that Nikon and Canon are equally good, you normally just stay with what you have.
I don't necessary have to stay with anything, although I do have some old Olympus lenses.
In the stores the sales people were telling us a lot of good things about Sony and we were really impressed. Now I wonder if they have higher commissions from Sony or if the cameras are really that good. Maybe I haven't heard much about them just because people are stuck with their old Nikons and Canons.
What are your opinions? I looked at Sony A65 and A77. I have also looked at the Canon A60 D
What I wish to have, but may not be able to get in one camera is,
light camera, viewfinder, fast for taking sports pictures, good in low light too, easy UI. I also know that the lenses are really important.
I am just an amateur and I have found that some of the things I like, easy changing the settings are only on the heavier professional cameras.
To be honest I don't like the looks of all these new cameras, but I guess I will have to live with that. I looked at the new Olympus OM-D on the web. It looks like the old cameras.

snowbear

You generally get what you pay for. Camera bodies in the same price range will have comparable features.

I shoot Nikon, both digital and film. Sony makes Nikon's sensors, so I would not hesitate to consider them. Take a close look at lenses, as they will likely be the largest part of your investment over time.

nikonesian Loc: Midwest USA

Agree with snowbear,

I'm a Nikon user too. Both Canon and Nikon are favored because of the quality of their product (particularly lenses) and the diversity of lenses offered for them by 3rd party lens makers.

For what its worth, there are adapters available for Olympus lenses for Nikon and Canon bodies. All of the adapters force compromises, but if it's good glass it's worth keeping. A quick Google will give you the low down.

rebel hiker Loc: Sanford, FLorida & Banner Elk, North Carolina

I agree with the above. Also, keep in mind that most accessories work with Canon and Nikon and may not work with other brands. I would stick with the 2 major brands; Nikon & Canon.

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Higher commissions? Perhaps the answer is advanced technology. Sony does deserve your serious consideration.
(and the availability Minolta AF lenses doesn't hurt their case). Google Sony Alpha cameras and eBay. Happy hunting!

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Higher commissions? Perhaps the answer is advanced technology. Sony does deserve your serious consideration.
(and the availability Minolta AF lenses doesn't hurt their case). Google Sony Alpha cameras and eBay. Good luck in your quest. OOPS! DOUBLE POST :oops:

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

You have been given good advice above. I groaned when I read your question, because I expected all the Nikon and Canon fans to get into a silly argument. They did not. I happen to own a lot of Sony gear. If you can, I would consider holding off until this September when Sony is expected to make some major announcements. Currently, Sony does not offer a full frame camera for their Alpha lens line. I think this will change in September/December. We all tend to become committed to a particular brand as our lens collection grows. I own a full frame Sony A900 and almost every alpha lens imaginable (from 12mm to 300mm f/2.8) While the A900 is built like a tank, it's heavy and no longer made. One weakness of the Sony/Minolta camera system is their remote flash system. It works great in a normal or even a large room but does not offer good radio remote control and does not work well if you using multiple remote flashes over great distances outdoors. Other than that I can recommend them.

Sony has announced that will no longer be making pentaprism/pentamirror type cameras and is replacing them with electronic viewfinders. This has resulted in lighter weight, less expensive cameras. Some pros love them, other pros shun them. This will be a game changing technology. It makes cameras mechanically much simpler. Some complain that the dynamic range in the view finder is not good enough when compared to a traditional SLR. Things are in a state of flux currently. I expect the dust to settle by Christmas.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

How much money do you have to spend? I would recommend the Nikon D7000 highly. When I got mine I was amazed at the quality of photos it took just placing it in auto. It has a magnesium body and is weather proofed. It handles noise well so you can shoot at 3200 ISO easily.

Purchase the 28-300mm Nikkor zoom, which is highly rated, and a 10-24mm wide angle and you're set for all occasions. The 28-300mm will also take macro.

If you purchase the Nikkor wide angle, it will run you about 3 grand.

brian43053 Loc: Buffalo, NY

I recently purchased the sony a77 with a 16-50/ 2.8 kit lense. I absolutely love it. The cost for the whole thing was around 2 grand. I also bought a tamaron 70-200/ 2.8 to go along with it. Unfortunately I haven't had enuf time to use the Tamaron lense yet. I have a tendency to stay away from the Nikon & Cannon names because I feel you "pay" for their name. Their quality is definitely good but why not get a camera that makes the sensors for Nikon? The A77 has a magnesium alloy body & is said to be water resistant & it can shoot 12fps. (I sound like a commercial for Sony). If it's possible for you go someplace where you can try each model you're thinking of buying out. I did that and settled on the Sony - GOOD LUCK. BTW - I used to shoot Olympus myself - had the E 510 & the sony just blows it away.

photopete Loc: Washington, DC

I shot only Nikon from 1975 until 2010. I switched to Canon because of their "L" series glass. The Nikon and Canon cameras both have a wide variety of features. (Now this is a personal observation) Nikon lenes have gone downhill in quality over the years compared to Canon. And it is all about the glass.

Both body lines are heavy cameras (not light). But you want durability in your camera bodies.

A new system is a tough and very personal choice. It is very dependent on what your photographic needs are.

Oh and I love my Canons. I am so glad I made the switch. I shoot a 5D Mark II and a 1 Ds Mark III.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I shot Canon, and picked the brand for three top reasons:

1. a few of my friends shot Canon DSLRs and I would be able to pick their brians about menu features, lenses, etc as well as try out/borrow some of their gear.
2. I liked the way the Canon felt in my hand over the Nikon, just felt more natural to me.
3. I found a Canon 40D for sale with less than 1,000 clicks for $250.

My advice is go to a camera store with no real idea of which brand you want, just what you are going to be using it for and a budget. Talk to the people behind the counter and get them to give you a couple of recomendations that will suit your needs, hold each one and find the one that feels right in your hand.

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

It is a rare day indeed that I see proof that there are real people out there that realize there is a world beyond nikon or canon. I'm an a55 owner and pleased with my decision.

brian43053 Loc: Buffalo, NY

Can you recomend a good all-purpose lense walk arouund type lense? I'm looking for something in the 20-200 range.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Which Camera manufature and body (cropped or FF)?

Also it's proper forum etiquette to start your own thread when asking a question that derails the OP's original post.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I can see from your above post, that you own the A77. I have heard wonderful things about that camera. Perhaps it's not what you had in mind in terms of range but I would consider the Minolta 35-70mm f4. It's cheap as dirt on ebay and a very good walk around lens. Good luck with what ever you decide to buy and I hope my response was helpful. :)

The Minolta 35-70mm f4 is a very tiny lens and provides a macro mode.