Sony Alpha 100 or Pentax K100D?

Question

This will be my first DSLR. I'm looking for something with image stabilization built-in to save money and weight on lenses. Both of these fit the bill. Is the Sony worth the extra $$$$?

Answer 1

In my opinion, the three biggest differences between the two (other than price) are:
1) Ergonomics - How the camera feels in your hand, what the view looks like through the viewfinder, how easy it is to change settings. This is a very subjective matter and only you can decide which camera comes out on top for this criterion.
2) Sensor resolution - 10 MP vs. 6 MP. The Sony will be noticeably better in any prints larger than 6x9 inches, and if you crop, (assuming you are using sharp lenses and good technique to keep the cameras steady). I like to print large, so when Pentax comes out with their 10 MP model next month, I'll be upgrading.
3) Lens selection - You mentioned that you want to "save weight." Pentax has an amazing line of compact, lightweight high quality lenses such as the 28-105/3.2-4.5, 21mm and 40mm pancake lenses. The weight and size of the lenses was the primary reason I switched from Canon to Pentax. I am not that familiar with the Minolta/Sony line but compare the specs on the lenses and you may be able to come to a conclusion. See below for link on Pentax lens specs.
I would strongly recommend against making a decision on any DSLR until you have handled it. Good luck with your decision!

Answer 2

comparing the specs at dpreview.com i would go for sony given that i only have 2 choices. actually you should go for other brands such as canon or nikon even if they dont come wiht image stabilization. cos really, steady yourself and you can get the same result. or better still, with a tripod. IS has become something that many ppl learn to depend on.

is sony worth the money? im not sure since i've never used any sony digital camera. they tend to get a little more expensive and would usually not work as good as others if you scrutinize the details. plus, sony is very new in this dslr business and have juz merged with konica minolta to come up with the alpha. i am not sure if sony is going to last long even with the help of konica minolta.

Answer 3

Here it goes on this one. You'll probably get more selections in lenses with Pentax. Both of their image stabilization are not that great because most lenses will not be able to feel the different with those vibration reductions. The best image stabilizations are still on lenses (Canon and Nikon have those). Because it's not the camera that is moving, it's the lenses and their elements that are moving when you are on telephoto zoom. To be honest, you'll get squat with IS on either Pentax or Minolta...oops, Sony (since they bought out Minolta's SLR operation).

Sony is ok, but that Alpha 100 is just another Minolta Maxuum 5D. Nothing really special, so the extra $$$ is not worth it. You'll probably get more out of the Pentax and have more accessories to go along with Pentax's K100D. Especially the lenses.

Answer 4

They both look like fine cameras. The price difference is explained in large part by the better sensor in the Sony (10 mega-pixels vs. just 6.)
Here's an in-depth review for the Sony ('highly recommended'): http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/page30.asp
Just realize that you do pay for the image stabilization.
For the price of the Pentax you can get a Nikon D50, which is also 6MP, but it has a much faster auto-focus, etc..
For the price of the Sony you can get a Nikon D80. Like the Sony, this model has 10MP. The Nikon lacks built-in image stabilization but it's a better camera in every other respect.
Midway, for $700, you can get a Canon 350D. Again, no image stabilization but it's an excellent camera and it takes clean pictures up to ISO 3200 - Sony, Pentax and Nikon are 'only' usable up to ISO 1200.
I suggest you base your decision on the total package. It might be worth spending 100 bucks extra on a Canon/ Nikon lens if that will get you the best deal overall.
(I personally use a Nikon D200 with a 17-55mm zoom as my main lens. That's $3000 for no image stabilization whatsoever ;-)

Answer 5

I'll argue that statement where SR in body lacks what IS/VR in alens can do. Pentax has the patent on SR that actualy magenticaly floats the ccd chip countering any movement and allowing for a 2-3.5 stop antishake (but not only in up/down position but covers angualr movement too, unlike anyone else). I have shot a 28-200 XR lens on a K100D at full zoom (300mm eq) at 1/15th sec. YOU CAN'T do that with any Nikon/Canon lens at twice the price (only now does canon have a 4 stop 70-200 IS, but at $1200 est price).

Also wait for the K10D (blackout date Sept 19th-ish/Photokina) by Pentax. It's supposed to blow Sony A100/Nikon D80/Canon XTi's out of the water with new noise reduction software that makes 1600 iso very good (normaly sucks in everyone else). along with a few new "tricks up their sleeve".

Answer 6

Alpha SLR/SLT all use the same lens mount. No issues at all. Minolta did make a 50mm f/1.7 (I have one) but Sony dropped it when they took over. Sony has since introduced a 50mm f/1.8 to fill that gap. Depending on which SLR to which SLT, it most certainly IS an upgrade.