Nikon D40 or Sony Alpha

[deepseablue]

Hi, I'm planning to get my 1st SLR and i have some qns to ask.

I know that their megapixels are diff (6mp vs 10mp) but i only know a little more abt these 2 models.

Now for the qns:

1) do the amount of 'pt of focus' matter when takin photos? (3 vs 9)

2)does the d40 cam body has any vibration reduction function or do i have to buy lenses that hav VR function.

3)Overall are nikon's lenses more expensive than sony's?
(the sony $2000+ package cantains a 70-300mm lens or shld i get a d40 and buy a 18-200mm vr lens)

4)i've heard n see some sony alpha fotos that are noisy at low ISOs, can it be improved? or it cant be helped? d40 seems to have less noisy pics.

5)Or shld i get other models/brands? any recommendations? like eos400?

I know my qns are a little here n there...thanks for any help provided...:embrass: :sweat:

 

[wind30]

Hi, I'm planning to get my 1st SLR and i have some qns to ask.

I know that their megapixels are diff (6mp vs 10mp) but i only know a little more abt these 2 models.

Now for the qns:

1) do the amount of 'pt of focus' matter when takin photos? (3 vs 9)

2)does the d40 cam body has any vibration reduction function or do i have to buy lenses that hav VR function.

3)Overall are nikon's lenses more expensive than sony's?
(the sony $2000+ package cantains a 70-300mm lens or shld i get a d40 and buy a 18-200mm vr lens)

4)i've heard n see some sony alpha fotos that are noisy at low ISOs, can it be improved? or it cant be helped? d40 seems to have less noisy pics.

5)Or shld i get other models/brands? any recommendations?

I know my qns are a little here n there...thanks for any help provided...:embrass: :sweat:

1) depends on you. Most newbies like me use a few points or just the center points.

2) you have to buy lens with VR built in and they are more expensive

3) I think the nikon lens are cheaper than sony's. The 2nd hand market for nikon is also much bigger on CS thought the prices for 2nd hand stuff in CS is very high. The good thing is you can sell off your nikon lens easily for good price.

4) it is all a matter of noise reduction. Trust me, just go and download neat image or noise ninja and run the jpeg through the software. sony took the approach of more noise + more details while nikon for its consumer cams took the approad of less noise + less details. I personally prefer the more noise + more details as I believe software noise reduction on a powerful PC is MUCH better than any NR your DSLR is capable of.

5) you might want to look at pentax K10D for its very good price/performance.

 

[deepseablue]

Hi, I'm planning to get my 1st SLR and i have some qns to ask.

I know that their megapixels are diff (6mp vs 10mp) but i only know a little more abt these 2 models.

Now for the qns:

1) do the amount of 'pt of focus' matter when takin photos? (3 vs 9)

2)does the d40 cam body has any vibration reduction function or do i have to buy lenses that hav VR function.

3)Overall are nikon's lenses more expensive than sony's?
(the sony $2000+ package cantains a 70-300mm lens or shld i get a d40 and buy a 18-200mm vr lens)

4)i've heard n see some sony alpha fotos that are noisy at low ISOs, can it be improved? or it cant be helped? d40 seems to have less noisy pics.

5)Or shld i get other models/brands? any recommendations? Like eos400?

I know my qns are a little here n there...thanks for any help provided... :sweat:

 

[ExplorerZ]

Hi, I'm planning to get my 1st SLR and i have some qns to ask.

I know that their megapixels are diff (6mp vs 10mp) but i only know a little more abt these 2 models.

Now for the qns:

1) do the amount of 'pt of focus' matter when takin photos? (3 vs 9)

2)does the d40 cam body has any vibration reduction function or do i have to buy lenses that hav VR function.

3)Overall are nikon's lenses more expensive than sony's?
(the sony $2000+ package cantains a 70-300mm lens or shld i get a d40 and buy a 18-200mm vr lens)

4)i've heard n see some sony alpha fotos that are noisy at low ISOs, can it be improved? or it cant be helped? d40 seems to have less noisy pics.

5)Or shld i get other models/brands? any recommendations? Like eos400?

I know my qns are a little here n there...thanks for any help provided... :sweat:

1) no, doesn't matter. but the more the better normally (ease of selective focus)
2) no... have to get VR lens.
3) i don think so... depend on what lens you are talking about. Some Sony (carl zeiss) lens are far more expensive than the nikon counterpart... good example will be the 70-200 from both. nikon is priced lower iirc and include a VR, while sony doesn't have any form of stabiliser on the lens.
4) yes, use noise reduction software.
5) you cannot go wrong with any.

 

[westwest1]

Hi, I'm planning to get my 1st SLR and i have some qns to ask.

I know that their megapixels are diff (6mp vs 10mp) but i only know a little more abt these 2 models.

Now for the qns:

1) do the amount of 'pt of focus' matter when takin photos? (3 vs 9)

2)does the d40 cam body has any vibration reduction function or do i have to buy lenses that hav VR function.

3)Overall are nikon's lenses more expensive than sony's?
(the sony $2000+ package cantains a 70-300mm lens or shld i get a d40 and buy a 18-200mm vr lens)

4)i've heard n see some sony alpha fotos that are noisy at low ISOs, can it be improved? or it cant be helped? d40 seems to have less noisy pics.

5)Or shld i get other models/brands? any recommendations? Like eos400?

I know my qns are a little here n there...thanks for any help provided... :sweat:

1. good to have more points...u will understand it once u use it...
2. Need to buy VR lens...
3. CZ lens are expensive...
4. you heard...but have u seen it?...
5. I recommend u buy the 30D...will not go wrong...since the price is lower then sony...

 

[deepseablue]

1) depends on you. Most newbies like me use a few points or just the center points.

2) you have to buy lens with VR built in and they are more expensive

3) I think the nikon lens are cheaper than sony's. The 2nd hand market for nikon is also much bigger on CS thought the prices for 2nd hand stuff in CS is very high. The good thing is you can sell off your nikon lens easily for good price.

4) it is all a matter of noise reduction. Trust me, just go and download neat image or noise ninja and run the jpeg through the software. sony took the approach of more noise + more details while nikon for its consumer cams took the approad of less noise + less details. I personally prefer the more noise + more details as I believe software noise reduction on a powerful PC is MUCH better than any NR your DSLR is capable of.

5) you might want to look at pentax K10D for its very good price/performance.

thanks for the reply. I'd like to ask some more qns.

i've read in digitalreview that its better to get a cam where the VR is in the lens instead of in the body. and it also seems that cams like eos400 n nikon D80 also doesnt hav vr in the body. So does that mean its better this way in terms of pic quality n control?

one more thing, how does more noise + more details contribute to better pic when noise usually 'degrades' a pic? R u trying to say that PC softwares can totally get rid of noises in the pic so that it eventually becomes a 'more details' picture?

 

[deepseablue]

1) no, doesn't matter. but the more the better normally (ease of selective focus)
2) no... have to get VR lens.
3) i don think so... depend on what lens you are talking about. Some Sony (carl zeiss) lens are far more expensive than the nikon counterpart... good example will be the 70-200 from both. nikon is priced lower iirc and include a VR, while sony doesn't have any form of stabiliser on the lens.
4) yes, use noise reduction software.
5) you cannot go wrong with any.

hi, thanks for the reply.

I'd like to ask abt noise. Which of the following do u prefer?
1) A pic with less noise when u take it using the cam.
2) A pic with more noise n then use softwares to get rid of the noise.

I ask this qn because some one told me that, "sony took the approach of more noise + more details while nikon for its consumer cams took the approach of less noise + less details."

 

[deepseablue]

1. good to have more points...u will understand it once u use it...
2. Need to buy VR lens...
3. CZ lens are expensive...
4. you heard...but have u seen it?...
5. I recommend u buy the 30D...will not go wrong...since the price is lower then sony...

Hi thanks for the reply,

I've seen pics taken frm the 2 cameras on 'highiso.net' and alpha's pics are noisier than D40's. Thats why i'm concerned abt the pics taken using it though other helpful forumers told me softwares can get rid of the noise.

30D is by canon right? is it an older model? I presume older models have lesser abilities than newer ones. just like how ppl say D40's pics are less noisy than D50 though D50 is a higher spec model.

sorry if wat i say doesnt make sense.:sweat:

 

[erictan8888]

up your budget a little if you can and get the D80... much better....

but between the 2, you have to choose carefully... you are buying a system, not a camera...
consider all other accessories that need to go with a camera.....
how easily available are they?
how many different accessories to choose from?
re-sale value?
camera handling?
support?
pic quality?
etc......

if you can answer all these questions... you know what to get liao....

 

[ExplorerZ]

just realise you open thread in 2 section... :nono: :thumbsd:

 

[obewan]

thanks for the reply. I'd like to ask some more qns.

i've read in digitalreview that its better to get a cam where the VR is in the lens instead of in the body. and it also seems that cams like eos400 n nikon D80 also doesnt hav vr in the body. So does that mean its better this way in terms of pic quality n control?

one more thing, how does more noise + more details contribute to better pic when noise usually 'degrades' a pic? R u trying to say that PC softwares can totally get rid of noises in the pic so that it eventually becomes a 'more details' picture?

Digital Review had made you believe that VR in the lens is better than on the body coz N & C
say so. Maybe they are right. But compare the price of a VR lens with a non VR lens from the equal range and class. Judge that yourself.
If N & C are to come out with a new cam with VR in the body, soon you will see a lots of older DSLR on sale at B&S. Especially for users who don't own a VR lens.
With a VR body, all lens become VR. Think of the cost you will save.
This might not be the best, but I definitely won't mind.

When it comes to NR, there will always be details lost.
Just that the PC higher processing power may do a better job than the camera.

 

[deepseablue]

just realise you open thread in 2 section... :nono: :thumbsd:

yah...sorry, cuz i only noticed the newbie corner after i post the 1st thread...

so i have to close that thread?

sorry ah...newbie ah...u see my post count u will understand liao...:embrass:

 

[deepseablue]

up your budget a little if you can and get the D80... much better....

but between the 2, you have to choose carefully... you are buying a system, not a camera...
consider all other accessories that need to go with a camera.....
how easily available are they?
how many different accessories to choose from?
re-sale value?
camera handling?
support?
pic quality?
etc......

if you can answer all these questions... you know what to get liao....

i've seen a review on alpha vs d80 vs eos400 and d80 was more prefered...then next is eos400 and lastly alpha

i wish to get a cam which i need not upgrade for many yrs to come...i know if i were to get a d40, i'll need to upgrade in in a few yrs time as there are lesser functions (frm wat i read)...

this is goin to be a very long term investment...

 

[deepseablue]

Digital Review had made you believe that VR in the lens is better than on the body coz N & C
say so. Maybe they are right. But compare the price of a VR lens with a non VR lens from the equal range and class. Judge that yourself.
If N & C are to come out with a new cam with VR in the body, soon you will see a lots of older DSLR on sale at B&S. Especially for users who don't own a VR lens.
With a VR body, all lens become VR. Think of the cost you will save.
This might not be the best, but I definitely won't mind.

When it comes to NR, there will always be details lost.
Just that the PC higher processing power may do a better job than the camera.

do N & C hav a history of introducing cam without VR in the body?

 

[ExplorerZ]

i've seen a review on alpha vs d80 vs eos400 and d80 was more prefered...then next is eos400 and lastly alpha

i wish to get a cam which i need not upgrade for many yrs to come...i know if i were to get a d40, i'll need to upgrade in in a few yrs time as there are lesser functions (frm wat i read)...

this is goin to be a very long term investment...

as i say, you can't go wrong with any... im using just a D50 for 9mths and very happy with it and till now no regret i gotten it instead of the D70s (more function).
more function is useful ONLY when one touches it. I can give you a D2X but if you nv make use of those function, it is practically useless.

 

[deepseablue]

as i say, you can't go wrong with any... im using just a D50 for 9mths and very happy with it and till now no regret i gotten it instead of the D70s (more function).
more function is useful ONLY when one touches it. I can give you a D2X but if you nv make use of those function, it is practically useless.

ok...i know wat to do now...thanks for all ur replies...

 

[UandMe]

if really got enough budget, dun see why should go for D40.

 

[deepseablue]

if really got enough budget, dun see why should go for D40.

Then wat model shld i go for? D80? sony alpha is almost out of my consideration due to the noise it produces...

 

[grimicer]

the implementation of VR or IS on the lens is better because of a few reasons.

1. when you're using viewfinder, VR lens is working constantly to give you a great view.
VR or IS on the CCD works only at the moment you press your shutter button.

2. VR or IS lens are more effective due to the nature of implementation. 3-4 f-stops advantage.

with these reasons, they have little reason to put VR or IS on the CCD.

if you want cam with IS or VR, can try the canon's ixus IS series

 

[deepseablue]

the implementation of VR or IS on the lens is better because of a few reasons.

1. when you're using viewfinder, VR lens is working constantly to give you a great view.
VR or IS on the CCD works only at the moment you press your shutter button.

2. VR or IS lens are more effective due to the nature of implementation. 3-4 f-stops advantage.

with these reasons, they have little reason to put VR or IS on the CCD.

if you want cam with IS or VR, can try the canon's ixus IS series

i'd like to ask if D40's kit lens comes with VR?