Sony Alpha 700 vs 550 - DPChallenge Forums

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

08/10/2010 03:01:11 PM · #1

I'm in the market for an upgrade and want some opinions from the best (DPC)!

Fell in love with the a700, but it's discontinued :-(. Does the a550 really stack up?? I've got the KM 5D, so almost anything is a switch up these days, but I need a camera that will really handle portraits and a bit more than my 5D can pack!

daryn

Sony DSLR-A100

Sony SAL16-80Z DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA

08/10/2010 03:48:17 PM · #2

I'm still using the a100 - so I'd not be much help. You should ask over at www.dyxum.com - the alpha nuts all live there.

Cheers,

Daryn

hojop25

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

08/10/2010 03:54:31 PM · #3

i would say the a is best, but then again its the one i use so its probably bias haha

daryn

Sony DSLR-A100

Sony SAL16-80Z DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA

08/10/2010 04:00:52 PM · #4

Also remember the rumour is a couple of new models to be announced in August.

bobnospum

Sony Alpha a77 II

Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Sony

08/10/2010 04:24:16 PM · #5

Wow -- A Sony thread -- I almost fell over in my chair.

I think it comes down to budget and how long you are willing to wait for new stuff. The rumors (and who knows if they are true) on new cameras and updates to the A550 are pasted below. The update to the A700 is rumored to be much later - early 2011 maybe). Probably worth waiting a few more weeks/months afer waiting all those years.

---------------------

According to our sources Sony will announce the new translucent cameras, the A33 and the A55 on August 24! We also expect Sony to announce the new A560, the A590 and many new lenses.

The A33 and A55 will be the first DSLR camera designed to take very good quality video, with unique fast autfocus for stills AND video (Phase detection AF during video!), and a 2 stop better High-ISO performance (than previous Sony APS-C cameras).

kellmak10

Sony DSLR-A330

Opteka 10X Macro

08/10/2010 04:36:11 PM · #6

while i have the attention of a bunch of sony people, i have a question....i just ordered my very first dslr camera yesterday and after tons and tons of research and a very limited budget (in the camera world anyway...) i went with the sony a330l... any thought on this camera? it seemed like the hardest decision i've ever had to make with all the different makes and models out there (even in the lower price range). i currently have a sony, so i thought it might be an easier switch to the world of DSLR if i stayed with something i'm somewhat familiar with.... also, i know this probably isn't a huge thing in a camera, but i have a back injury that doesn't allow me to get down on the ground and get my eye to the eyepiece of a camera, so i had to go with something with a live view, and the tilt feature sounded even better..... so the sony seemed like the choice for me.... anyone have this model?

obscurity

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85

Olympus 30mm M.Zuiko Digital ED F3.5 Macro

08/10/2010 05:26:54 PM · #7

Wow there are other Sony users out there! Thought it was just me. Wished I had a higher end one though but damn it I like my little A230. How do you all like your Sony's? There's a local photographer here in Oklahoma City that bought one that is full frame and 24mp I believe. Don't know which model it is though.

Nikon AF Nikkor -S DX 18-105 f3.5-5.6

08/10/2010 05:42:16 PM · #8

Originally posted by kellmak10:

why didn't you go for newer model??

Yoda

Nikon D300s

08/10/2010 05:48:54 PM · #9

Originally posted by kellmak10:

I used to shoot with an a300 which is pretty much the exact same camera (few small changes). When i bought mine i dont think there was as much entry level competition. i dont think youll be disappointed, it takes a good picture, is easy to use, great live view and the flip down screen is fantastic. my main problem was the small viewfinder (as long as you dont look through another camera you wont know what i`m talking about :P)

obscurity

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85

Olympus 30mm M.Zuiko Digital ED F3.5 Macro

08/10/2010 06:16:13 PM · #10

I used to have the DSC-H20. I loved that camera. It was fun and did so much for a point and shoot. I wouldn't mind having another just to carry with me.

Only problem with those is that they don't survive a fall when mounted on a tripod and the neighbors cat yanks it off your porch when they attack the wrist strap.

Message edited by author 2010-08-10 18:17:16.

kellmak10

Sony DSLR-A330

Opteka 10X Macro

08/10/2010 06:32:55 PM · #11

Originally posted by zxaar:

Originally posted by kellmak10:
while i have the attention of a bunch of sony people, i have a question....i just ordered my very first dslr camera yesterday and after tons and tons of research and a very limited budget (in the camera world anyway...) i went with the sony a330l... any thought on this camera? it seemed like the hardest decision i've ever had to make with all the different makes and models out there (even in the lower price range). i currently have a sony, so i thought it might be an easier switch to the world of DSLR if i stayed with something i'm somewhat familiar with.... also, i know this probably isn't a huge thing in a camera, but i have a back injury that doesn't allow me to get down on the ground and get my eye to the eyepiece of a camera, so i had to go with something with a live view, and the tilt feature sounded even better..... so the sony seemed like the choice for me.... anyone have this model?

why didn't you go for newer model??

i could be mistaken, cause there were so many cameras with very simliar model #s, but i thought the newer ones (the 350 and 380) were the one with either 12 and 14 mps- and all the reviews said that the pictures suffered a little because of the that, especially in low light situations... plus, with the lenses i ordered to go with it, Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Compact Super Telephoto Zoom Lens and the fixed Sony 50mm f/1.8 SAM DT, this was all i had in the budget right now....

as for my DSC-H20....i love it too.... i have no plans on getting rid of it, it takes great pics, and i think i've done pretty well here with it considering i haven't picked up a camera until this year... i just thought i was ready to learn about a DSLR camera....

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

08/10/2010 06:45:31 PM · #12

@kellmak--I think you'll be happy with the a330! I looked at that as well, and while it's a jump up for me because of newer tech, I'm feeling like I want something with a bit more. But, if I was leaping into the DSLR scene today, it would really catch my eye!

@bobnospum--thanks so much for the info! I hadn't been able to dig anything up on when Sony was expecting to release new things, though it did seem weird that they took the 700 off the market and left a huge hole between entry level, mid, and then full frame. Where are the upper level DSLRs?? Maybe that's where they're trying to put the 500s?? Or maybe they're just waiting for something new....?

louinsd

Sony DSLR-A900

Sony 16mm f2.8 (E-mount)

08/10/2010 06:46:02 PM · #13

I have a unique perspective to offer here. I use an A-700 but also have an A-300 at home (my partner works for Sony and it was given to him). I've played with the A-300 and took it on an excursion. The only disapointment that I had with it was that there wasn't a second dial for the shutter speed in manual mode. Also the camera body is a bit smaller so there is less room for buttons. Otherwise it worked just like the A-700.

The instant preview with the A300 was really nice. The ability to tilt the preview screen is awesome! If I was in the market right now I would get a 300 series.

kellmak10

Sony DSLR-A330

Opteka 10X Macro

08/10/2010 07:11:19 PM · #14

i am so happy to read such great things about sony's line of DSLR's from people who own them.... i was kind of stressing about my purchase cause everyone i was talking to was saying "get a cannon, get a cannon"...but i just couldn't afford the features i wanted in a cannon...and i've always been so happy with everything else sony i have....that my gut just said to stay with sony.... after seeing these posts...i am so exicted for my new camera to arrive on friday.... so today i entered my last challenge(for a while), the under- challenge-, with my non-DSLR camera... and can't wait to start using these challenges to help me learn how to use my new camera!! thanks everyone!

louinsd

Sony DSLR-A900

Sony 16mm f2.8 (E-mount)

08/10/2010 07:52:56 PM · #15

Hey Kellmak

I started with a sony f707, did a couple of years with an olympus (I don't recommend that), and am now with my a700.

The only complaint that I have with the alpha series is that I can't get the software to work with my vista 64 bit computer. Otherwise I've been very happy and content.

Message edited by author 2010-08-10 19:55:41.

bobnospum

Sony Alpha a77 II

Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Sony

08/11/2010 08:11:11 AM · #16

Originally posted by ladyhawk22:

Sony, for good or bad, is flooding the low (A3xx) and mid range (A5xx) with cameras that seem to get replaced after a single year. The advanced A700 is 2.5 - 3 years old with only a mock-up of the replacement shown (last Feb) and no release date announced. The semi-professional A900 (~2 years) and A850 (~1 years) are great value for the cost. There are no decent rumors about when those are going to be updated, except guesses that it wil be 2011 or later.

DPReview (www.dpreview.com) has a very active Sony forum. They do tend to spend too much time bashing Sony (too many lower models, feature stripping on some models, letting the A700 go out of stock w/o replacement), however all the latest rumors get discussed there. Dyxum (www.dyxum.com) forums are a little saner and more polite and I peruse those as well, but the number of posts/topics is much lower.

08/11/2010 06:53:18 PM · #17

Originally posted by ladyhawk22:

my advice is to go for new sony models. And here is why:

Newer generation of sony sensors are very good at low light shooting.

Sony's new sensor in pentax k-x was the best low light camera last year. (APC).

the same sensor is shared in nikon d5000 and sony A500 if i am not wrong.

New generation of sony sensor's are better. This is why i asked OP why not newer model??

Further newer models give you liveview in two modes - sony's fast liveview from second sensor and livevew from main sensor.

There are many other things improved.

You might consider NEX too. At least picture quality is wonderful.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

08/11/2010 07:01:47 PM · #18

Originally posted by bobnospum:

Originally posted by ladyhawk22:
@kellmak--I think you'll be happy with the a330! I looked at that as well, and while it's a jump up for me because of newer tech, I'm feeling like I want something with a bit more. But, if I was leaping into the DSLR scene today, it would really catch my eye!

@bobnospum--thanks so much for the info! I hadn't been able to dig anything up on when Sony was expecting to release new things, though it did seem weird that they took the 700 off the market and left a huge hole between entry level, mid, and then full frame. Where are the upper level DSLRs?? Maybe that's where they're trying to put the 500s?? Or maybe they're just waiting for something new....?

Sony, for good or bad, is flooding the low (A3xx) and mid range (A5xx) with cameras that seem to get replaced after a single year. The advanced A700 is 2.5 - 3 years old with only a mock-up of the replacement shown (last Feb) and no release date announced. The semi-professional A900 (~2 years) and A850 (~1 years) are great value for the cost. There are no decent rumors about when those are going to be updated, except guesses that it wil be 2011 or later.

My opinion is that sony was busy with design of NEX system and hence they did not put efforts in A700 replacement.
Now they have options in mirrorless cams also.

Originally posted by bobnospum:

DPReview (www.dpreview.com) has a very active Sony forum. They do tend to spend too much time bashing Sony (too many lower models, feature stripping on some models, letting the A700 go out of stock w/o replacement), however all the latest rumors get discussed there. Dyxum (www.dyxum.com) forums are a little saner and more polite and I peruse those as well, but the number of posts/topics is much lower.

Sony forum is no different than any other forum at dpr. Everywhere same bickering going on.

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

08/11/2010 08:28:07 PM · #19

Sony makes cameras now-a-days? Huh. Didn't know that.

/* ducks for cover */

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

08/11/2010 09:03:10 PM · #20

Perhaps the thing to do will be to wait until Photokina's over and see if anything gets announced. My 5D still works just fine---it's just me who's getting antsy. My Dad (who shoots Nikon) just got a D90, and its metering is *fantastic*! And I suppose I feel as though that's the biggest thing lacking in my 5D as compared to the new tech that's out there today. I just want to make sure I "upgrade," rather than "crossgrade."

08/12/2010 03:41:15 AM · #21

Originally posted by ladyhawk22:

i think waiting is very wise decision at this point. There are few sony cams rumored in near future.

Other than that how have you been. You were missing from site for some time and participation is sporadic.

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

08/12/2010 02:24:56 PM · #22

@zxaar--I've been doing well :-) Thanks for asking! I've got a 1 and a half year old at home now, so life has been pretty busy. That's pretty much the reason for the sporadic DPC usage! Between full time work, errands, and a family, it seems like I don't have ton of time leftover for challenges. Just taking an ungodly amount of photos of my little boy :-) But I'm shooting my sister's wedding next summer and have been thinking about an upgrade for the last few months....so the upcoming nuptials are just a good excuse ;-)

bobnospum

Sony Alpha a77 II

Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Sony

08/12/2010 04:38:59 PM · #23

Originally posted by david_c:

Sony makes cameras now-a-days? Huh. Didn't know that.

/* ducks for cover */

Too funny -- I bet there are thousands upon thousands of owners of old Minolta film cameras that have no idea they can use their Minolta glass on a new Sony camera. (I keep trying to find them to take their "old junk" off their hands :) )