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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> DSLR? which is better.
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09/28/2006 12:07:28 PM · #1
i'm in the market for a dslr and can't decide what to buy. which do you think is better the canon digital rebel xti (400D) or the sony a100 alpha? they both cost about the same and have many similar features. one major difference is a CMOS sensor for the rebel and a CCD sensor for the alpha. what sensor is better CMOS or CCD. any comments will be helpful.
09/28/2006 12:15:40 PM · #2
*cough* :)
09/28/2006 12:16:46 PM · #3
this is Sony first foray into the dSLR arena, they took over the Minolta line when Minolta suddenly bailed.

Canon is the better choice at this point. More users, more lenses, more accessories, more expeience, yada yada yada.
09/28/2006 12:17:12 PM · #4
Originally posted by lament:

*cough* :)


Sounds bad, you should have a doctor take a look.
09/28/2006 12:18:46 PM · #5
All I have is a Sony P&S and a Asahi Spotmatic, but Canon is more established than Sony in the dSLR market. Personally, I would either go for Nikon or Canon.
09/28/2006 12:20:53 PM · #6
go to a store & pick them up
it really is a personal choice

or would you ask which is the best car to buy as well ?
(and buy one that you've nver sat in ?)
09/28/2006 12:24:20 PM · #7
This article covers quite a bit of information. I recently upgraded my 5 year old equipment to a Nikon D80. Could not be happier with it.

//www.digitalreview.ca/cams/A100vsD80vsXTi.shtml
09/28/2006 12:25:42 PM · #8
I would go for the rebel. I think it's much better. I don't know a lot about the Sony but I think the rebel has nicer features.
09/28/2006 12:28:27 PM · #9
Originally posted by scarbrd:

More users, more lenses, more accessories, more expeience, yada yada yada.


Not necessarily, since the Sony A100 is compatible with all the Minolta lenses, flashes, etc from the Konica-Minolta lineup.

My 35mm equipment is Minolta (pre-Konica) and uses the same lens mount as the Sony A100. So, it's not really hard to find second-hand glass, also Sigma and Tamron produce glass for the mount, so quality first-hand glass isn't hard to find either.

As far as which is best ... tough question. Probably boils down to which you like better. How it feels in your hands, how intuitive the controls are to you, etc.
09/28/2006 12:28:36 PM · #10
Originally posted by ralph:

go to a store & pick them up
it really is a personal choice

or would you ask which is the best car to buy as well ?
(and buy one that you've nver sat in ?)


That is a good response.

I would also agree that if you have any aspirations of building a DSLR equipment package or long term program, Nikon and Canon are going to be the best for offering a variety of choices and flexibility.
09/28/2006 12:30:19 PM · #11
go play with all of them in a store buy the one that you like best.
09/28/2006 12:34:28 PM · #12
get a nikon!
09/28/2006 12:39:37 PM · #13
Originally posted by ralph:

go to a store & pick them up
it really is a personal choice


Originally posted by Bugzeye:

go play with all of them in a store buy the one that you like best.


He he - beware the standard Nikon fan response: pick up the cameras if you are a newbie, on the basis that Nikon has better ergonomics!

I agree that Nikon has good ergonomics. However, I think that the best camera is the one that you feel best suits your needs - there is more than simple ergonomics to think about when considering which camera to buy.

Determine priorities and how seriously you plan to take your foray into photography, your budget and what features best suit your style of photography and personal situation. There are plenty of places to help you out with that analysis (eg //www.dpreview.com).

Canon and Nikon are market leaders. Look at the D80 review n dpreview to see comparison between image quality of 400D, Sony Alpha and Nikon D80 - it is barely distinguishable.

Then look at prices and lenses, availability, what your friends shoot (in case you want to borrow lenses), ergonomics, any upgrade plans, types of photography etc etc.

400D is priced more competitively than Nikon at the moment, but probably a slightly lower quality construction (though still more than enough for most people/purposes). Nikon has a big natural life spotter community, Canon a large sports/news community. Sony, Pentax, etc have individual bonus features (usually image stabilisation in-body), but some compromises (such as range of kit or high-ISO image quality).

Any of the current DSLRs will take good 8x12s and web imagery.

Message edited by author 2006-09-28 12:42:23.
09/28/2006 12:54:43 PM · #14
ok thanks a bunch guys and gals,

i would also like to add that i have no lenses for a canon system, but i do have three leneses for the minolta mount. i don't know much about these lenses either, other then they are 'ok' and not bad or good.

lens 1 ProsSpec MC 28-200mm, 3.5~5.6
lens 2 Tamron 80-210mm, 3.8~4
lens 3 Maxxum 35-70mm , came with maxxum not sure of F numbers.

do you think these lenses will work well with the Sony? if so then should i keep with the KM-Sony mount and buy the Sony instead of starting from scratch with the Canon system?
09/29/2006 09:23:05 AM · #15
When the A100 came out, I was so excited for it and started saving my pennies to afford it. I decided to go check it out in person and I was so disappointed by how cheap it felt. (And I never felt that way about the Digital Rebel or the XT, so it's not like I'm a build-snob.) It just feels plastic-y.

I tried to convince myself I still wanted it, but before I could justify spending a grand on something that felt like it might break in my hands, the XTi was announced. I went to the store, I picked it up, and, while it's still made of plastic, it didn't feel cheap. And it was considerably less than the A100.

It really depends on what you intend to do with it. I have to shoot events for work, often, so I need something that looks professional and is fast to wake up and focus. I also needed something that could handle bursts of shooting and low light conditions. The XTi serves me very, very well and I'm glad I didn't pounce on the A100 before handling it. I think I would have been very disappointed.
09/29/2006 10:17:17 AM · #16
Gee - deepfrog !
You really know how to start an argument !!
Which is better - Mac or Intel; Ford or Toyata; wine or beer ??

Although it comes down to a personal choice the advice of "what you want to do with it" is often not helpful. You often don't know what you want to do and your tastes often change. BUT - there is often one feature that YOU see as important. Does one camera have, or do this feature better?

I personally went with the 350D (about 9 months ago) and didn't regret it. It still has a lot of things I have to learn and it is serving me well. The 400D is even better, with more improvements.
I went with the canon because I had canon lenses from my old SLR. This has become a rather mute point because I realised my old lenses weren't that great so I am now in the process of slowly replacing them with better glass. Therefore I could have really started with with a clean slate.
Maybe the advice of someone who has just gone through the decision process (such as literaryradical)is worth taking on board.
Another one maybe worth a look is the new Pentax. It has a weatherproof body - if that is a feature worth considering.
Sorry its not more helpful but best of luck with your decision making.
09/29/2006 11:15:16 AM · #17
Mac, Toyota, and Wine. But I can't decide on a DSLR.
09/29/2006 12:35:51 PM · #18
They're different cameras, to the point where I wouldn't necessarily say one is better than the other. I think the build quality of both are fine.

With the Canon you'll have a better selection of lenses and accessories and whatnot, a more useful dust removal feature, the ability to add a battery/vertical grip, much better AF, and better performance at high ISOs, among other things.

With the Sony you'll have the tremendously useful in-camera image stabilization, better handling (the grip on the 350D/400D is awful), better battery life, dynamic range optimization feature (won't increase DR, but will bring it out), and a better kit lens (if you plan to stay with it), among other things.

The choice basically depends on how the cameras feel in your hand, and what you plan on doing with it.
09/29/2006 12:55:07 PM · #19
If I may put my two cents in here...

1. Research, read reviews of the gear you've narrowed down to. The link in the start of this thread I felt offered a good review of two of the cameras you're looking at plus added in the mix the D80, which I haven't used but don't feel you'd go wrong with.

2. If you can, get your choices in your hands. Go to your local camera retailer and play with each of your choices. Sure Nikon offers great er-gos but what about other features, like menus, location of frequent controls etc. This is as diverse as boxers or briefs, Ford, Toyota etc. etc..

3. If you have glass that will work with a choice in the selection then that should weigh towards your final decision.

Either way, I really don't feel you can go wrong in this day and age with the choices you've narrowed it down to. Cannon, Nikon, and I'm sure the Sony will all capture amazing images that you'll enjoy. I'm not sure if I've even helped but I wish you luck and can't wait to see some first shots from which ever direction you choose to go!

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 17:30:25.
09/29/2006 01:00:15 PM · #20
The camera that you'll buy and learn to use well will become the best DSLR for you. ;^)

It's hard to go wrong with the current state of technology. Personally, if I were buying a DSLR today, I'd be choosing between Nikon D80, Pentax K10D, or, perhaps the Canon 30D, but if I were already paying that much, I'd consider the Nikon D200 as well.

Do your own research, don't take anyone's word. Also, it's important, try to handle each camera in a store.

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 13:00:29.
09/29/2006 11:10:32 PM · #21
I don't know how you feel about the lenses that you already own. Personally, they don't really sound like really amazing lenses... No offense of course...

I will say that Pentax has some really interesting lenses for not too much money and could be another excellent option when compared to the sony. Check 'er out!
09/30/2006 08:46:31 PM · #22
Wow! You have all been so helpful. I'm a libra with a birthday coming up and this is my gift to myself. I have weighed most all of my options and the people here at dpc are so helpful! Looked at a lot of the photos here with the equipment/lens/camera section and also a ton of review reading on the web. It's always so hard not to get an unbiased opionion about such closely matched cameras. I took everything into consideration, and when it came right down to it, i was looking at starting over with a clean slate no matter what because my old glass doesn't do the new digitals any justice. Anyway i just bought the new CANON rebel xti with the kit lens and also the 10-22mm f3.5 that a bunch of my looked up to artists here on DPC have. I can't wait to get it and start shooting. And to hell with all that old glass i can't get rid of. That glass isn't going to be anywhere near as sick as the 10-22mm! hurray!

Message edited by author 2006-09-30 20:49:50.
10/01/2006 10:39:16 AM · #23
Sweet man, time to update the portfolio.

If you want a couple of suggestions for expanding your range a bit without blowing a wad of cash, check:

50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 USM (a bit more money but a lot better)
Sigma 70-300 APO Macro (can't go wrong for $230)
or if you want more reach yet, try:
Tokina 80-400 f4.?-5.6 (A lot of rather sharp range for 650 ish)

Message edited by author 2006-10-01 10:39:39.
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