Caught in the middle

[OwlPig]

Hey all, im just starting out and want to make the switch from Digicam to a DSLR. I've narrowed it down to 2 cameras but have no idea which one to get. The Sony a200 and Canon EOS 400D. I was wondering if there are any things that i should know regarding these cameras and suggestions would be great. Thanks!
(I will be using it mostly for architectural, nature, sports and low lighting shots-Random landscape and spur of the moments-. not sure if this will effect the choice)

[SilverPine]

Canon 400D with kit lens 18-55mm will be a good choice, start shooting, and start saving money for future lens. When you buy a camera, you are buying into a system, Canon have a big range of lens for your future needs.

For camera you can buy brand new or you have a option to buy 2nd hand from ClubSNAP and meet some other photographers who might share some of their experience with you.

[diver-hloc]

Suggest you go to the shop and test both by holding it in your hand. Which one felt better ?? It is true that buying a DSLR is more about the whole system..... but since you have yet to own one, then any system will do. You might even try the New Nikon D60 which is coming out.....

Just remember..... which ever system you chose.... you would more or less be struck with it.... unless you got lots of MONEY and could afford to change all the lense....

[jawzsg]

Hi Owlpig, I was at your situation roughly a month ago... between the 400D & A200. My thoughts were;

A200 - grip very good, sensor stabilizing, sony associated with Carl Zeiss

400D - feel heavier, plenty of lenses & accessories, cmos provide good color, great ISO performer.

I finally settled for the 400D basically because the Canon camp here is lethally more poisonous..

Like they say, it is a system and one of my criteria is to have great buddies to shoot with.,,

[b2973]

Hi OwlPig,

Just thought to share my view on this. If you are serious about photography and will be shooting for many many more years to come, I think you should not focus too much on the camera body. Most of the camera bodies in the same category (eg. Sony A200, Canon 400D, Nikon D40x, etc) are very close in features and pricing. What you can do in one, you can probably do in the other as well. Or you could find another way to achieve the same end result.

You should take a look at the lenses (original and 3rd party) and peripherals for each system, their pricing, features, performance, availability, etc and see which one suits you best. You will probably evolve on to need other lenses as you shoot on, and you will not want to be stuck in a system where you do not like the lenses, the features, etc.

The camera body is relatively cheap compared to the rest of these lenses, etc . 1 good lens can cost 2 or more times the camera body. Even the basic-moderate lenses or a good flash can cost half of what you pay for the body. So base your choice on the system (ie. the lenses, flash, etc) and not the camera body.

If you're not sure if you are going to be serious about staying on in photography, maybe you should get a 2nd hand model so you pay less for it? That way if you give up the hobby, you would not suffer as big a loss.

[pictureperfect]

Actually the D60 is already out. I saw one set at John 3:16. Shop is located at Funan.

One small thing you could consider is if you have friends who uses the Canon system. It would be more convenient to share equipment when the need arises.

I was considering either the Nikon D40X or the 400D. I went to JO to try both and Sam told me I was surrounded by Canon spokesmen. And besides, all of my friends uses Canon.

[dw8888]

Originally Posted by OwlPig Hey all, im just starting out and want to make the switch from Digicam to a DSLR. I've narrowed it down to 2 cameras but have no idea which one to get. The Sony a200 and Canon EOS 400D. I was wondering if there are any things that i should know regarding these cameras and suggestions would be great. Thanks! (I will be using it mostly for architectural, nature, sports and low lighting shots-Random landscape and spur of the moments-. not sure if this will effect the choice)

If you ask me canon or sony?
I will go for canon. Because it the most popular.

If you ask me canon or Nikon?
I will go for Nikon. Because I am using it.

Actually the right way is go to the shop and have a feel of the grip and function all around. To see you really love it.

[OwlPig]

Haha, i can tell i've entered into a Canon zone over here. Thanks for all the replies! Most of my friends are using canons too and i dont think i'll get tired of photography. Ok, lens wise. I heard that Canon offers much more variety compared to Sony but im no sure about the price. Does anyone have that info available? It would be very helpful. However, i think i would just buy one or two more lenses and stick with them. Im just an enthusiast and beginner, so not really looking into expensive and pro lense.

[diver-hloc]

Originally Posted by OwlPig Haha, i can tell i've entered into a Canon zone over here. Thanks for all the replies! Most of my friends are using canons too and i dont think i'll get tired of photography. Ok, lens wise. I heard that Canon offers much more variety compared to Sony but im no sure about the price. Does anyone have that info available? It would be very helpful. However, i think i would just buy one or two more lenses and stick with them. Im just an enthusiast and beginner, so not really looking into expensive and pro lense.

If your friends ain't the..... Err..... 'cheapo' type ..... it will makes sense to get Canon yourself. Since all of you are using Canon, it won't be a problem if you need to borrow lense or flash from each other...... don't have to buy & buy all the time.

[b2973]

Originally Posted by OwlPig ... I heard that Canon offers much more variety compared to Sony but im no sure about the price. Does anyone have that info available? It would be very helpful.

Hi OwlPig, there's a reference of some of the more popular lenses for the Canon system(including some 3rd party ones) here
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showt...131801&page=35

Hope this helps!

[jawzsg]

Hi OwlPig,

Although Canon lenses are more available, there are sufficient A mount for beginner to go around. I started with a list of 4 cams i.e. 400D, A200, E510 & D40x. I went to test them to see how comfy I feel holding them, that's when I narrow down to the 2 that you have. The 400D is not the best in grip, but the weight feels right.

Although I did not do this, I would suggest that you go with some friends who know a thing or 2 to help you check out. Borrow a CF if available so that you can also review the test shots you've made in your computer.

Hope you settled to the cam of your choice soon and looking forward to see some of your picture post....

[li0nheart07]

IT SHOW!!!
go there and try it out
best place to try everything at your own time

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by OwlPig Hey all, im just starting out and want to make the switch from Digicam to a DSLR. I've narrowed it down to 2 cameras but have no idea which one to get. The Sony a200 and Canon EOS 400D. I was wondering if there are any things that i should know regarding these cameras and suggestions would be great. Thanks! (I will be using it mostly for architectural, nature, sports and low lighting shots-Random landscape and spur of the moments-. not sure if this will effect the choice)

you might as well get the pentax k200d

this is why asking which dslr to get when you are totally new to them is not going to get you very constructive suggestions..

read up the review sites - dpreview and imaging resource, note the compromises that you have to make for each body.. what people can tell you about is the system, since no review site is going to do it. generally,

1) canon and nikon bodies are more expensive than olympus/pentax/sony in terms of bang for buck

2) canon/olympus/sony lenses (especially the good ones) are more expensive

3) canon and nikon do not have shake reduction.. general consensus is that they want to milk you more for their vr/is lenses

4) canon and nikon lenses , first hand or second hand generally easier to find in singapore

5) canon entry level dslrs may give you handling headaches if your hands are not exactly small

6) er, just for fun, pentax entry level dslr (k200d) is the only one which offers you all-weather sealing!

that's all i can think of offhand

[calebk]

Since your friends are mostly using Canon, (and I hope are not too giam siap with their equipment) go for the 400D, then you can try lenses and other equipment by borrowing from them before you buy it yourself.

Also, I've found that Sony is gonna be pricier in the long run, with their line-up of Zeiss lenses. Their lens line-up is not as mature as that of Canon or Nikon, and I believe that Canon has a good sensor technology on their hands that can easily rival or beat Sony sensors.

[OwlPig]

Hey guys. I've already bought the camera. I decided to get the Canon 400D. Thanks for all your help in deciding! Really helped me in my decision.

[jawzsg]

Originally Posted by OwlPig Hey guys. I've already bought the camera. I decided to get the Canon 400D. Thanks for all your help in deciding! Really helped me in my decision.

Congradz... another 400D user... did you get Kit I, Kit II or ala carte? I got myself the Kit I + 50mm f1.8 + 75~300.. all budget lenses...

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by OwlPig Hey guys. I've already bought the camera. I decided to get the Canon 400D. Thanks for all your help in deciding! Really helped me in my decision.

Congrats on your 400D purchase!! It'd be awesome to see some of your shots =)

[OwlPig]

Originally Posted by jawzsg Congradz... another 400D user... did you get Kit I, Kit II or ala carte? I got myself the Kit I + 50mm f1.8 + 75~300.. all budget lenses...

(: Thanks! I got it at the IT fair for $1580. 400D with Kit + EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 is. Plus a whole lot of free stuff. Im guessing its kind of a good deal.

Quote: Congrats on your 400D purchase!! It'd be awesome to see some of your shots =)

If you are interested, you can check my pics out at www.flickr.com/owlpig. Have not posted any 400D shots yet thou. soon! (: and please do leave comments if you drop by my page!

[pictureperfect]

Err..did you pay $390 for the 55-250 IS?

It goes around for $360 at most recommended shops.

[jawzsg]

here are some of my 400D shots with the kit lens...not great, still need more practise..

Me and friends on some outing


Stationary subject


Night shoot


Night shoot experimental fun