Is it worth buying a Sony Alpha 100W or look for some other brands like Nikon?

Question

I am looking forward buying a 10+ MP camera, with lots of other functions. After doing a round in searching for cameras, I am confused with Nikon, Sony, Olympus.

But Sony A100W is enticing, and before I buy it would like your comments

Answer 1

Please consider a different brand. The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's.

I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 - 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi (400D) - 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."

Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue! (Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue! (In a follow-up to this seeming error, Pop Photo published the explanation that only the D80 and the Sony had been tested by the end-of-year deadline for choosing the Camera of the Year. Sony won on the strength of low price and built-in image stabilization. The other 3 that beat Sony in shoot-out were not tested until after the Camera of the Year was selected, because they were not yet available.)

Go to the original question and read the responses for more opinions.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiG00eHyd0oq5b.X7J.jiULzy6IX?qid=20070113133139AAHWJY0

If you want to get the "best" for the real world, consider the Nikon D200 or Canon 30D if you can afford it. For about $300-500 less, look at the results of the recent PopPhoto test and choose from that list according to your taste.

Personally, I use a Nikon D200 and would recommend it without hesitation to someone who has some knowledge of photography. For someone who wants the "best," but is starting with somewhat of an "entry level" knowledge base, I'd suggest the Nikon D80.

There are people out there who will state their preference for the Canon cameras and I will not argue with them. The Canon 30D and 400D are excellent cameras as well. You would have to visit a camera store or camera department and pick them up and see what you think.

This review is now available online at:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Here's another reference from outside the photographic press. Consumer reports compared the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha. Personally, I'd say that the Nikon came out on top here, also. It beats the Sony in "noise-free ISO" with an acceptable rating at ISO 1600 (kind of optimistic, I think...) compared to the Sony's ISO 400. It beats the Canon (in my opinion) by having a spot meter that the Canon does not offer.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/november-2006/shootout-10-megapixel-digital-slr-cameras-11-06/overview/0611_digital-slr-shoot-out.htm

Here's another comparison or interest:

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-Rebel-XTi-vs-Nikon-D80-vs-Sony-Alpha-A100-Head-to-Head-to-Head-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm
[Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]

The next thing to consider is what lens to start with and where you go from there. If you are new to this, I'd say to just get the "kit" lens, which seems to be the 18-135 lens, and get started. Once you know where you really want to go with your photography, Nikon has an almost unlimited family of lenses to choose from.

Answer 2

Olympus isn't really a player in the dSLR market. And neither is Sony. The Sony A100 is an okay camera and good value for money - mainly due to the built in image stabilization - but Pentax, Canon and Nikon make better stuff.
The Canon Rebel XTi (400D) is in the same price segment as the A100 and it's a better camera. Canon also gives you access to a wider lens lineup and an upgrade path. (With Sony, the A100 is all they have. With Canon, the Rebel XTi is still just an entry level model.)
With Pentax, the K10D looks better than the A100 but it's also a bit more expensive.
With Nikon, the D80 is a more expensive and better option. The Nikon D80 is consistently reviewed as the best 10 megapixel dSLR for under $1000. And like Canon, Nikon has a great lens lineup and an upgrade path.
I personally view photography as a long term hobby... a hobby that I'll continue to invest in with an occasional new lens, lens upgrade, and perhaps a new body in 5 years or so. So for me, Sony was a non-starter. I looked at Canon an Nikon and ended up buying a Nikon because they had the best starting set-up for my budget.
But if you view your camera as a one-off expense instead of as an investment in a system, the A100 can be a great option.
Here are two in-depth reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/page30.asp
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/alpha100_pg6.html

Answer 3

If you get one of the latest models of Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Olympus (new 510), you will have a fine camera you could use for years.

Pros tend toward Nikon D80/200 or Canon XTi/30D. I tend to choose Nikon due to its controls and lightning fast operations, and the build of the unit in general.

Go to a local store and see what you think. When you walk out with one, it will be the right camera for you!!! Might wait until you ca try the new Olympus 510, it's supposed to be a nice rig.

Answer 4

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