Nikon D5000 or Sony A550?
- Thread starter hangloose
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aiyoh... difficult to answer leh....
"Better" is quite a tough word, to be honest.
In terms of specs (in-body stabilisation, Liveview, etc etc etc), the Sony wins.
But sometimes the purchase decision is not solely about specs.
D5000 is also a good camera. Ultimately it's your call... seriously.... difficult to advise...
I read the review from dpreview on both cams, have pros and cons, hard to decide too.
But when I did a comparison using the dpreview tool, there are more pros on D5000 than A550.
Tough lei.
This is a comparison between the 2 from a review:
Nikon’s D5000 is another best-selling mid-range DSLR, so represents another key rival for the A550. Both cameras feature articulated screens with Live View, 18-55mm kit lenses and HDMI ports, but like the Canon above, there are many differences to weigh-up.
Once again, the biggest feature in the D5000’s favour is a movie mode, which shoots at 720p in 24fps. In addition, its screen may be smaller and less detailed, but enjoys greater articulation, turning to the side or front for crafty self-portraits, not to mention back on itself for protection. The D5000’s viewfinder features on-demand grid lines, there’s a more sophisticated 11-point AF system, superior metering, interval-shooting, a time-lapse movie mode, and while it’s a personal thing, we also preferred its ergonomics.
In its favour, the Alpha A550 features built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach, faster continuous shooting at 5fps with AF or 7fps without, a choice of two Live View modes, one of which is much faster than the Nikon while additionally supporting continuous AF, double the maximum sensitivity, and a face detection system which is actually usable thanks to the phase-change AF behind it. The battery also delivers an accurate percentage of charge remaining, there’s an optional battery grip and also in-camera HDR capture. The A550 also features two extra Megapixels, although this didn’t make a great deal of difference in our real-life tests.
So once again the Sony stacks-up well, with video recording being the only really major feature lacking in comparison to the D5000. But again there’s a number of small but valuable benefits to the D5000 which may make it preferable overall, especially at the lower kit price.
But when I did a comparison using the dpreview tool, there are more pros on D5000 than A550.
Tough lei.
This is a comparison between the 2 from a review:
Nikon’s D5000 is another best-selling mid-range DSLR, so represents another key rival for the A550. Both cameras feature articulated screens with Live View, 18-55mm kit lenses and HDMI ports, but like the Canon above, there are many differences to weigh-up.
Once again, the biggest feature in the D5000’s favour is a movie mode, which shoots at 720p in 24fps. In addition, its screen may be smaller and less detailed, but enjoys greater articulation, turning to the side or front for crafty self-portraits, not to mention back on itself for protection. The D5000’s viewfinder features on-demand grid lines, there’s a more sophisticated 11-point AF system, superior metering, interval-shooting, a time-lapse movie mode, and while it’s a personal thing, we also preferred its ergonomics.
In its favour, the Alpha A550 features built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach, faster continuous shooting at 5fps with AF or 7fps without, a choice of two Live View modes, one of which is much faster than the Nikon while additionally supporting continuous AF, double the maximum sensitivity, and a face detection system which is actually usable thanks to the phase-change AF behind it. The battery also delivers an accurate percentage of charge remaining, there’s an optional battery grip and also in-camera HDR capture. The A550 also features two extra Megapixels, although this didn’t make a great deal of difference in our real-life tests.
So once again the Sony stacks-up well, with video recording being the only really major feature lacking in comparison to the D5000. But again there’s a number of small but valuable benefits to the D5000 which may make it preferable overall, especially at the lower kit price.
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If you like to use Liveview a lot, the Sony's auto-focus system in liveview is much faster, even though the Nikon D5000 has the so-called "more sophisticated" 11pt AF system.
Also, if you have shaky hands, I suppose having the stabilisation built-in to the camera body will be beneficial in the long run. Buying individual lenses with stabilisation can prove to be costly, if you're a lens collector
As for ergnomics, I much prefer the Nikon. When I picked up the A550 and held it, my thumb kept pressing on 1 of the buttons. Quite irritating button placement.
Also, if you have shaky hands, I suppose having the stabilisation built-in to the camera body will be beneficial in the long run. Buying individual lenses with stabilisation can prove to be costly, if you're a lens collector
As for ergnomics, I much prefer the Nikon. When I picked up the A550 and held it, my thumb kept pressing on 1 of the buttons. Quite irritating button placement.
both cameras are very similar in IQ and ISO performance. Nearly identical.
The difference between them is:
Pros of Sony A550 compared to D5000:
FREE Image Stabalization (instead of paying for this function in other camera systems)
Image stabalization works with all lenses (Canon and Nikon dont hv IS in alot of lenses)
7 frames per second (fastest in all entry level DSLR, even faster than the semi pro D90)
Fastest live view of all systems
More functions (Auto HDR is great bright sunlight shots)
Cons:
No video mode
Pros of Nikon D5000 compared to A550:
Video mode
Cons:
No In body motor
While Nikon has more autofocus lenses than Sony Alpha, the D5000 actually has less usable autofocus lenses than the A550. This is due to alot of AF lenses not working on D5000 due to the lack of in body motor. Whereas the A550 can use ALL Sony and Minolta Autofocus lenses, even those manufactured way back in 1985 by Minolta. Thus when choosing lenses, D5000 users will hv to choose only lens with motor build in, whereas Sony users do not have to think of this at all.
So if you need to shoot videos, u might wanna consider D5000. If you do not need video, u might wanna consider A550 as it offers more advantages for photography. Not to mention 7FPS compared to D5000's 4FPS (A550 75% faster), it will be great for sports photography, or if u just wanna capture photos of children, or pets running.
The difference between them is:
Pros of Sony A550 compared to D5000:
FREE Image Stabalization (instead of paying for this function in other camera systems)
Image stabalization works with all lenses (Canon and Nikon dont hv IS in alot of lenses)
7 frames per second (fastest in all entry level DSLR, even faster than the semi pro D90)
Fastest live view of all systems
More functions (Auto HDR is great bright sunlight shots)
Cons:
No video mode
Pros of Nikon D5000 compared to A550:
Video mode
Cons:
No In body motor
While Nikon has more autofocus lenses than Sony Alpha, the D5000 actually has less usable autofocus lenses than the A550. This is due to alot of AF lenses not working on D5000 due to the lack of in body motor. Whereas the A550 can use ALL Sony and Minolta Autofocus lenses, even those manufactured way back in 1985 by Minolta. Thus when choosing lenses, D5000 users will hv to choose only lens with motor build in, whereas Sony users do not have to think of this at all.
So if you need to shoot videos, u might wanna consider D5000. If you do not need video, u might wanna consider A550 as it offers more advantages for photography. Not to mention 7FPS compared to D5000's 4FPS (A550 75% faster), it will be great for sports photography, or if u just wanna capture photos of children, or pets running.
Between D5k and A550, I think A550 is the winner.
Between D90 and A550, I will take D90 any day.
Personal choice, of course.
Between D90 and A550, I will take D90 any day.
Personal choice, of course.
:thumbsup:
of course you also might want to consider lens line-up for each system, especially if you're thinking of upgrading in the future and streamlining what kind of photography you're into.
I think it's easy to generalize the lack of motor in D5000 = lack of lens.
If I were using a D5000, chances of me needing one of those above $2k lens will be rare. Granted, the AF-S motor-driven lens are more expensive than their non-motor equivalent, but I don't find the lack of usable and affordable AF-S lenses actually. Excepting maybe the 50mm f1.8 (which I am forced to get the more expensive 50mm f1.4). Then again, for a user who is getting a D5000, one should have a rough idea where one is heading, and there is a lot of room for expansion if required even if it's not as comprehensive as having the entire list of non-motorized lens.
So my question would be rather, would an A550 equivalent lens of something I probably can't get for the D5000 or something too expensive on the D5000, be cheap enough for my type of usage.
If I were using a D5000, chances of me needing one of those above $2k lens will be rare. Granted, the AF-S motor-driven lens are more expensive than their non-motor equivalent, but I don't find the lack of usable and affordable AF-S lenses actually. Excepting maybe the 50mm f1.8 (which I am forced to get the more expensive 50mm f1.4). Then again, for a user who is getting a D5000, one should have a rough idea where one is heading, and there is a lot of room for expansion if required even if it's not as comprehensive as having the entire list of non-motorized lens.
So my question would be rather, would an A550 equivalent lens of something I probably can't get for the D5000 or something too expensive on the D5000, be cheap enough for my type of usage.
Went to Best Denki at City Square Mall to test run these 2 cams. The sales persons look very snobbish, told me battery low cannot try, also din put effort to sell the product, stupid salesman. Some more, told me DSLR is for manual focus, if want auto focus, might as well use compact camera. Very naive, if DSLR is designed for manual focus only, then it has this function???
Back to the hands on experience, the A550 feels big in my hands. I've trying to check if my fingers will accidentally press any buttons while taking photographs, looks like my thumb could touch one of the button (this is one of the cons commented my an user). Do you agree?
D5000 feels small to me.
Too bad, no chance to really try them using the functions.
Next time will go Audio House to try them.
Thanks for pointing out the pros/cons on the lenses for these cameras, but I may not add anymore since 18-55mm is good enough for me.
Back to the hands on experience, the A550 feels big in my hands. I've trying to check if my fingers will accidentally press any buttons while taking photographs, looks like my thumb could touch one of the button (this is one of the cons commented my an user). Do you agree?
D5000 feels small to me.
Too bad, no chance to really try them using the functions.
Next time will go Audio House to try them.
Thanks for pointing out the pros/cons on the lenses for these cameras, but I may not add anymore since 18-55mm is good enough for me.
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untrained staff, better complain to best denki before he leads wrong information to every customer.. :bsmilie:
Or maybe he's not the real salesman from DSLR section, maybe he's from TV section? Washing machine section?
I assume you're not getting a 2nd hand (there's a lot of D5000s in warrantied condition in the BnS section) camera, but I do think the 18-105mm is a more versatile kit lens than the 18-55mm. Unfortunately it only comes with D90 kit, so I got both body and cam from BnS section. The 18-55mm is more compact though, if that's what you're looking for.
I think some places like Best Denki Bishan, they have the cameras placed in the open with security wires so that customers can just try them without disturbing the peace of those @#$% sales people.
I think some places like Best Denki Bishan, they have the cameras placed in the open with security wires so that customers can just try them without disturbing the peace of those @#$% sales people.
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