Sony DSC r1 or Nikon D40, Please advice?

Question

I am keen enthusiast ( not a professional) and in serious dilemma on whether to go in for either of these camera. I have done a lot of reading about the features of these two cameras and i like the picture quality of R1 but flexibility and speed of D40. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The R1 has a great lens and a decent sized sensor, but it's still a point & shoot. For action shots, low light photography, etc, ANY dSLR would be vastly better.
As for the D40, it's a nice camera but so new that it's still overpriced. At the moment, the Nikon D50 can be found for about the same price, and the D50 is a better camera in every respect.
If your budget allows, pass on the 18-55mm kit lens and get the Nikon 18-70mm zoom.

Answer 2

I agree with OMG, as usual. Vote for him as the best answer. Why spend all this money and get stuck with a one lens camera? Why spend almost the same money on the D40 which is nowhere near as capable and no easier to use than the D50? You may be lured by the 10 MP, but you'll be turned off by the slow handling of the Sony.

Check out this page and read the reviews and owner comments.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d40%2Cnikon_d50%2Csony_dscr1&show=all

Get a Nikon D50. There is no delay between pictures at all and no delay between the time you press the button and the camera takes the picture. It has a few "consumer friendly" automatic modes that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. The "kit" lens is a decent lens optically, but you might want to upgrade to the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens for a bit more range and a lot more durability. When you are ready to add lenses, the sky is the limit with Nikon.

Get a 1 GB memory card, such as the Sandisk "Ultra" for decent write speed.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d50.asp

Circuit City has it for $700, with the lens.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Nikon-D50-Digital-Camera/sem/rpsm/oid/127029/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Walmart has it for $660.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4058046

The memory card will cost $50-60 or so, depending on sales or rebates.

Answer 3

I am not a professional photographer but have worked with professionals for many years. Professionals usually use Nikon, Hasselblatt and some use Cannon. All of these are made by company's that have made cameras for many years. Sony makes good TVs, Monitors, and video type devices. Recently there was a recall on a Sony Digital camera. My suggestion is to go with a Nikon. I have had 3 and have never had any problems.

Answer 4

I think it all comes down to optics. Nikon optics are a trusted, reliable product. For that alone, I'd go with Nikon.
However, if the Sony has the Carl Zeiss lens, then I'd go with the Sony. Both cameras are very reliable.
I personally own two Sony cameras. Both with Carl Zeiss lens. One is a compact camera and the other is a Zoom lens monster.
I am a land surveyor.....Nikon and Carl Zeiss are both world-class lenses ........flip a coin or.......buy both!