General

[CJOttawa]

The question has come up lately on this forum, "what camera should I buy?"

I have an investment in the Nikon system these days though I've owned Canon gear in 35mm autofocus (AF) film days and a Pentax manual focus body.

For those considering other options: look at Sony first then Pentax.

I would suggest the Sony over the Pentax simply because Sony has extensive digital sensor experience pre-DSLR (their video cameras are top notch).

A big advantage to the Sony and Pentax lines backward compatibility with lenses. Pentax has been using the K-mount for decades.

Less obvious is Sony: they bought the camera division of Konica-Minolta a few years ago so you can use Minolta AF lenses. Minolta beat Canon and Nikon to modern AF with the Minolta Maxxum 7000 in 1985.

Also worth noting: while Nikon and Canon are "in demand", Minolta and Pentax lenses are often overlooked on pawn shop shelves.

Sony and Pentax bodies may have image stabilization where Nikon and Canon use stabilization in the lenses. If that's a selling point for you, it might be a reason to go Sony or Pentax.

Link of interest: Lenses for SLR and DSLR cameras - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[DarkStar]

I think everyone spends too much time fussing over the body and not enough time (and money) on the lenses.

If you choose wisely your lens will last you through many generations of bodies. This is where the lion's share of your money should go. Buy the best lens you can afford and buy whatever body will work with it that has the features you want. The body is going to be in the 50% off bin next year anyway. Don't get caught up in the megapixel race. Any SLR body on the market today has more megapixels than you need.

That said, the best thing i ever did to improve the image quality of my pictures was to buy an external flash that i could tilt to bounce off the ceiling.

If you do indoor photography this should be the first thing you buy after the body and your first lens. If your outdoors primary a long zoom may be a better first "upgrade"

This is what I picked up: Nikon SB-400 Speedlight i-TTL Shoe Mount Flash 4806 B&H Photo

Edit: I just realized my post may seem off topic. So here's the point I was trying to make. Don't get caught up in marketing. This includes the Nikon vs Canon feature bloat wars. There are plenty of good cameras out there. Find one that does the things you need and don't worry about the name plate on the body

[CJOttawa]

Right with you there. I advise folks to spend 1/3 on the body and 2/3 on lenses.

6MP in a DSLR is usually better than 12MP in a point and shoot and more than enough for most people.

For reference:
6MP is 2,000 x 3,000 pixels
12MP is 3,000 x 4,000 pixels

They've just diced the same size sensor up, adding an extra thousand per side.

Only folks shooting travel magazines and billboards should put megapixels on their must have list. (most travel magazines want 25+ MP - film, medium format or a Nikon D3x basically)

[aaronlecain]

I have to admit. I am just starting out in Digital but I wanted a body that would keep up while I collect some high end lenses. I did a lot of debating / research between canon, Nikon, and Sony. It is all a matter of personal opinion that is why people are so brand protective.

I went with Sony as they have been making sensors for a while, they take Minolta AF lenses which tend to run cheaper for used ones, they have some interesting new features that I will most likely never use, and it is Sony. I am a fanboy of Sony. I am typing this on a Sony Vaio, while watching TV on a Sony Bravia, and all my point and shoot cameras are Sony.

Either way I had money burning a hole in my pocket and I went with the Sony A77. I then got a friends Minolta camera and lens collection (4 lenses total) for $60. I will replace the lenses when I have the money for the $900+ Carl Zeiss or G series lenses.


(taken with a Motorola Droid 3 because Verizon didn’t carry a Sony phone when I got it)

[Law]

I hate to say it, but I'm still holding a grudge against sony for not making an adapter for my old Minolta manual focus lenses on their cameras. Its been pissing me off for a decade now.

[worrptangl]

I agree. You buy into the lens not the body. Bodies come and go lenses are forever. Sony makes some really nice bodies that get great reviews, but they also have Zeiss lens!

I have used both Nikon and Canon. I'm currently using Canon, but I have no issues with any company. But your decision should be on whose lens lineup fits you best.

[chopper duke]

For non-Nikon/ Canon, Sony. My $0.02

[Lead-Foot]

This thread is blasphemy.

[ballyhoo33]

Originally Posted by worrptangl

Sony makes some really nice bodies that get great reviews, but they also have Zeiss lens!

There are Zeiss lenses for Nikon and Canon.

[worrptangl]

Originally Posted by ballyhoo33

There are Zeiss lenses for Nikon and Canon.

I know. I should have specified better.