Are SONY DSLR cameras just as good as Pentax and or Canon/Nikon?
I like the new sony dslrs they have a modern design, and they utilize minolta technology.
Well, let's get an answer from someone who actually shoots a Sony DSLR and has shot a Canon SLR (for 3 years). I switched from Canon to Sony when I went digital. And I also bought myself a Minolta Maxxum 35mm SLR.
I was ready to go digital and I wanted to do my research. I hadn't when I got the Canon, it was just convenient and cheap. And I had never gotten any additional accessories so no loss switching brands if I made that decision. Anyway, I had someone suggest a Sony DSLR, which I wasn't even aware was an option at the time. But I did my research on it and found that the biggest difference between Sony and Canon and Nikon is that C & N have in-lens stabilization. So only some of those 60 lenses are stabilized. Sony (like Olympus and Pentax) uses in-body stabilization so all 30 or so Sony lenses and the Tamron, Sigma and Vivitar lenses will all be stabilized. Oh, and so will all of those lovely old Minolta Maxxum lenses that you can get for a steal on ebay and craigslist. And we can't forget about the Carl Zeiss lenses either.
Considering that all DSLRs of similar specs will give the same results given the same settings and lenses used, the final selling point was the way the Sony a700 felt in my hand. And Minolta has the same great ergonomics. I hear that the new entry level DSLRs don't have the same ergonomic feel, but the upper level bodies still do. I think Sony was trying to make a camera that was more enticing to people coming from a P&S, to make them more comfortable with those entry level bodies.
Personally, I have no need for 60 lenses. I think that a well rounded set is really all I need even as a professional. But, if you do include the lenses available for Sony from Sigma, Tamron and Vivitar the count is more like 85. Not to mention all the Minolta lenses available.
I gave the Canon to my step-daughter whose mother had the exact same model. Let them share. I have been using the Minolta Maxxum 7000 for my film class. I also use a Minolta SR-7 which was released in 1962 I believe with the first built-in meter. Minolta was also the first to have auto-focus in their DSLRs with the Minolta Maxxum 7000 in 1985. They were an amazing camera company and Sony inherited everything they had and everything they were.
Here are a couple of good sites available for Sony/Minolta shooters:
http://www.dyxum.com/
check out the user reviews here
http://www.mhohner.de/index.php
this is a compilation of all of the Minolta and Sony gear since auto-focus came about
edit-I just wanted to say that I don't mean to say that Sony/Minolta is better than Canon or NIkon or any of the others available. I don't think any of them are better than any other for everyone. For me, Sony and Minolta are the best. They aren't for everyone. Like Edwin said, if you like the Sony, then don't be afraid to buy one. Don't worry about what other people think of the camera you use. I know I made the best choice for me and I haven't regretted it.
Edwin also brought up a great point that slipped my mind. Is is hypocritical to tell people that it is the photographer that matters and not the camera in one breath only to say that professionals only use Canon and Nikon in the next?
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