which is the better quality camera?

Question

which is the better choice between the cybershot R1 and the sony A100 series.

Answer 1

The R1 costs about the same as the A100 body, but with the A100 you'll still have to buy lenses. With the A100, add another $500 to equal the zoom range and image quality of the R1.
And please note that if you're going to spend nearly a grand on a dSLR body, the Canon 400D and Nikon D80 are better options.
If you want cheaper dSLR alternatives, look at the Nikon D50 ($550) and D70s ($650), and the Canon 350D ($630). They're all very good.
The advantages of a dSLR are:
* Responsiveness. Everything is faster with a dSLR. With the R1, you have a delayed electronic viewfinder, more shutter lag, and slower auto-focus. The R1 is an absolute nightmare for action photography (including kids).
* Better image quality at high ISO (over 800).
* In combination with the above, you have the ability to use fast lenses. With the R1 you're stuck with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The combined effect in low light situations is that a dSLR will cut the shutter time down to around 10% of what you can achieve with the R1. Fast lenses also give you more creative control with depth of field.
* The ability to change lenses - period. With a dSLR, you can go from fish eye lenses to telescopes. With the R1 you're stuck with a very limited zoom range. It's a great range for street photography, but not for everything. You *can* get wide-angle converters and tele-extenders for the R1, but that defeats the whole point of buying an R1 in the first place.
The advantages of the R1 are:
* It's cheaper.
* It's smaller and lighter... but not so small that you can carry it in your pocket - it's still a chunky camera.
What stays the same:
* Image quality. In most situations you won't see much difference. (The trick is that you'll get a lot more shots with a dSLR - things that the R1 is too slow to get.)
* Ease of use. You can use both cameras in fully atoutomatic modes, or you can take as much control as you want. With entry level dSLR cameras you don't have more bells & whistles than you do with the R1.
Now, I know that Panacea loves his R1, and for a point & shoot it IS a great camera. But it's not in the same league as a dSLR.

Answer 2

The A100 is a major disappointment. The R1 is better. It shouldn't be, but it is. I have the R1 and it is a very nice piece of equipment, and gives you exactly what you want in most situations.

These are two different types of camera. If you want a fixed lens, there is no better camera than the R1. However, if you want an entry level digital SLR camera, than the camera you want is the Canon Digital Rebel XTi (also known as the EOS-400D). This is an upgrade to the already dominant Digital Rebel XT, which was the best entry level dSLR. Expect the same performance from the XTi but with better stats.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14256
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=24712316
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/canoneos400d/

If you like the XTi, consider getting it as the body only and buy the lens seperately. Specifically, consider getting this lens for it, instead of the kit lens that comes with it:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=7443
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=430123/search=EF+28-200mm

This costs more but the lens it much more useful (not to mention higher quality), in my opinion.

Answer 3

cybershot R1

Answer 4

i guess its all down to preference....i would say the cybershot kicks the a100's @ss

Answer 5

sony a100

Answer 6

'A' series in most of these digi cameras, including fuji are not as good. 'R's (and 'f's in some) are better