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SLR question which of these 2 is best?

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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:08 PM
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Default SLR question which of these 2 is best?

Right we are after a Digi SLR entry level camera, and basically ive got 2 options, both of which ive posted links to below. If anyone knowledgeable could let me know which of the 2 would be best and why it would be massively appreciated. Please dont recommend xxxx camera as these are the only 2 im choosing between.

Many thanks

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dss-di...slr/dslr-a200k

http://www.dixons.co.uk/product.php?...amp_id=froogle


Sarah
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:11 PM
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if thats the only 2 your interested in the choise aint too dificult,.

Toss a coin lol

our kid got a good one, less money than those 2 but you dont need to know that lol
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:13 PM
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id rather know the pros and cons clive.

The sony one is newer but does that mean its a better camera? And i know Nikon are shit hot cameras, i dont know a great deal about Sony...
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:19 PM
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In my opinion I would go for the Sony A200, this is because it offers the following features:

Built in Anti Shake- This works with any Lens
10 Million Pixels- Proper A3 prints
Compatible with Minolta items- This offers you lots of cheap items via Ebay

I have an A200 and if you got to my webpage you can get an idea of the quality- All the photos are unedited and are as taken on the a200 with the std kit lens. Also check www.cameralabs.com for impartial reviews.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2517723...72288?edited=1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2517723...57606735572288

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25177233@N03/2374329773/
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:21 PM
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Have a read up on them here:

www.dpreview.com

They give good honest advice on most cameras.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:24 PM
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tonyk - thanks for that mate, good advice
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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Er Sony Vs Nikon?

Nikon.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Dicko&Sarah
tonyk - thanks for that mate, good advice
No problem, I asked lots of questions before deciding to purchase the Sony A200, there is lots of other benefits it has over the nikon d40 but some are a little technical and I wouldnt know enough to put them into non jargon.

What sort of photos do you want to take? ie.. Family, track action, sports etc..
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:30 PM
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the nikon. i have the d40's big bro (the d60), which is pretty much the same bar a few megapixles. a very good camera. you cant go wring with a nikon.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by tonyk
No problem, I asked lots of questions before deciding to purchase the Sony A200, there is lots of other benefits it has over the nikon d40 but some are a little technical and I wouldnt know enough to put them into non jargon.

What sort of photos do you want to take? ie.. Family, track action, sports etc..

Ive just read reviews on both cameras, each has its flaws but in different fields.

It would be to take pics of family, track, cars, animals, a wide range really?
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:42 PM
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If you're buying an SLR then it appears you want to get into photography. What you should do is look at the range of products by each manufacturer and see who supports the hobby the best. I somehow doubt Sony has anywhere near the range of flashguns and lenses than Nikon does.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Dicko&Sarah
Ive just read reviews on both cameras, each has its flaws but in different fields.

It would be to take pics of family, track, cars, animals, a wide range really?
You will need a few different lens, not straight away though. The std 18-70mm lens is ok to start with and will take portrait style photos ok and is good to learn with. For car action shots and due to how far away the marshalls have you from the action you would need a 200-400mm lens. Now that sounds easy enough but try taking a handheld photo of a moving object at 200mm+ as the lens can set you back Ł100's or even Ł1000's depending on what you buy.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by pa_sjo
If you're buying an SLR then it appears you want to get into photography. What you should do is look at the range of products by each manufacturer and see who supports the hobby the best. I somehow doubt Sony has anywhere near the range of flashguns and lenses than Nikon does.
i agree, yet on the reviews, the sony has much better overall reviews than the d40 nikon. Obviously the nikon is an older camera and the Sony is a new camera, this is something else to think about.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by tonyk
You will need a few different lens, not straight away though. The std 18-70mm lens is ok to start with and will take portrait style photos ok and is good to learn with. For car action shots and due to how far away the marshalls have you from the action you would need a 200-400mm lens. Now that sounds easy enough but try taking a handheld photo of a moving object at 200mm+ as the lens can set you back Ł100's or even Ł1000's depending on what you buy.

although i must add, we probably go to about 3 track events a year so its not in the high priority that it can take excellent action shots
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:47 PM
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Nikon and Canon probably have about a 90% share of the SLR market......
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:48 PM
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i had noticed that, but comparing the 2 is what im interested in, both have different specifications, and i would like to know out of the 2 which is the better camera in its ability, not in its manufacturer?

AS the Sony seems to be showing that its a better camera allround from reviews?
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:50 PM
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To be fair, i dont think you would go far wrong with either camera really, the A200 seems to have a slightly better spec but im still drawn to the nikon.

Ive read a few threads on here where peope have recommended the nikon d40 and the nikon d40x, saying that theres not a massive difference between that and the d60.

also might be worth you watching these reviews

D40 - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wkB2nK0qQUM

A200 - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tmV5K3zxk3I
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by pa_sjo
If you're buying an SLR then it appears you want to get into photography. What you should do is look at the range of products by each manufacturer and see who supports the hobby the best. I somehow doubt Sony has anywhere near the range of flashguns and lenses than Nikon does.
The Sony camera is compatible with any bayonet fitting AF lens (konica, minolta) and as well as there own range of lens, flash guns and the various 3rd party items. The huge range of minolta items available I feel gives the A200 the edge of the D40 as the D40 does not support the older Nikkor lenses.

One of the main benefits the A200 has over the D40 is the amount of Focus points, it only has 3 versus the A200's 9 point sensor. One thing nobody has mentioned yet, Try the cameras and get a feel as you may find the size and weight of them restrictive.
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Old Oct 10, 2008 | 09:01 PM
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I would go Nikon, I have a D70 its been superb
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Old Oct 11, 2008 | 10:33 PM
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after reading a load of reviews etc gone for the Sony

thanks for the advice
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Old Oct 11, 2008 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Dicko&Sarah
after reading a load of reviews etc gone for the Sony

thanks for the advice
Good choice, there is a thread on www.avforums.com in the camera section called "the unofficial sony alpha thread" Check it out for advice etc..
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Old Oct 11, 2008 | 11:28 PM
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I think for your situation you've made the right choice with the sony. sony are coming out with some good stuff, and mark my words they will make a decent name for themselves in the dslr world. I hardly ever recommend a Nikon D40/D40x/D60 to anyone looking to start out with a dslr. They unfortunately contain a few flaws i find impossible to live with.
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Old Oct 11, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Muska
I hardly ever recommend a Nikon D40/D40x/D60 to anyone looking to start out with a dslr. They unfortunately contain a few flaws i find impossible to live with.
Flaws that you failed to detail on this thread and on the other thread where you poo-poo'd them. I'm sure others as well as myself are keen to hear what they are!
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Old Oct 11, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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i have the a200k, nice entry level camera.

edit: this in lens I went for
http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodi...st=11~110~1184

Last edited by purple_fiesta; Oct 11, 2008 at 11:59 PM.
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Old Oct 12, 2008 | 07:27 AM
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I've got a D40, think it's a great camera. Very happy with it.
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Old Oct 12, 2008 | 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by purple_fiesta
i have the a200k, nice entry level camera.

edit: this in lens I went for
http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodi...st=11~110~1184
cool, thanks for the link ive saved that
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 04:09 PM
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camera has arrived but me being female totally forgot to get a memory card

and i need a memory card adaptor for it as well, can anyone help me out which is good to go for, dont want to spend a lot really its just to get started

Sarah
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 06:58 PM
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firstly what type of memory card does it take? compact flash, SD?

Consider sandisk, good make and look for something like an 'extreme III', should get a 4gb one for under Ł20.
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:26 PM
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Good call Matt, the SanDisk Xtreme III are great SDHC memory cards but one of these ordinary SDHC Sandisk cards would do you fine, 4GB Ł5.99 inc delivery from UK

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4GB-SANDISK-4-...d=p3286.c0.m14
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:31 PM
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friend just got a D70 are they any good?

what are they worth?
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:34 PM
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You're right Red, one of those would be nice.. There are many fakes on ebay so i'd be very cautious before buying. Personally i buy from a reputable camera equipment company. Also, i personally wouldn't recommend going above 4GB in size because if something happens to the card, it corrupts or you lose it etc or gets damaged at least you've not lost all your pictures. And you can still expect to get about 400 RAW files on a 4GB card.
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:39 PM
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Yeah thats true... ebay is full of fake things of every kind

Good point on the memory card sizing and not storing all your eggs in one basket... 4GB is a massive amount of photo storage, 400 shots would be one hell of a photoshoot!!
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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I usually take about 600 - 1000 when at a show! many get junked, don't get me wrong, i usually wittle it down a little. In fact when ever taking pics i find it very easy to fill a card as i take lots and lots of shots, that way you get more keepers
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Spiky
friend just got a D70 are they any good?

what are they worth?
Decent camera. Not sure about the price... there are a few on ebay at various prices... if you search for 'Nikon D70' under 'Digital Cameras' you'll see them.
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