Hi, NeilP,

I used to shoot both raw and fine jpeg, because I didn't have a means of "instantly" displaying Sony raw files on my computer, so that I could review them all and discard the rubbish.

However, I found that I almost never used the jpegs - I could always improve them. So, now that I can flick from one raw file to the next with the Picasa viewer, I shoot only raw.

If your camera takes really good jpegs, good luck to you....

cheers,

Turps

Hi Jer,

Good question, which deserves an answer that's been thought out. The shops stock Canon & Nikon because they know they'll sell; but they usually also stock at least another 1 or 2 makes.

So why do people tend to buy more CaNikon? Probably a fair number of factors... but not only through perception, and still less because they are actually 'better'!

The leading brands will have more :
1. established users - so more people to recommend them to new buyers (and more people 'locked in' to a set of glass);
2. brand recognition in terms of DSLR photography;
3. range of models - so a better chance of fit to the user's needs;
4. more lenses - again a better chance of a fit;
5. shop staff actually using them, so again more chance of a recommendation;
6. and a greater perception of development path and growth for new users thinking about eventually trading up.

I use Sony A550 myself - at the time it seemed to offer the best fit for what I wanted. Would I switch? - I'm not wedded to Sony, so I'd consider it, but I'd have to have a good reason. At present, I'd be interested in A65, NEX-6 and/or the new Pentax K5-II.

Hope this helps.

Turps