Sony Digital Camera Quality

[matt clayton]

I am looking to upgrade my photo-taking capabilities from a basic point and shoot to something nicer (SLR)

[bryan hulse]

Bugger,

I don’t have any experience with the Sony, but have owned a lot of Nikons and Canons and would offer this: while the Sony looks like a nice camera a Canon or Nikon digital SLR would give you the foundation for a nice photo system.

Both companies make their own glass and manufacture fantastic lens’. Both make great dedicated flash units, winders and motor drives.
Your expansion options would be limited only by your wallet.

Splitshot

[matt leiderman]

interestingly enough I just received my V3 two days ago.  Havent had a much of a chance to play because of work and school but i’m hoping to get a chance this weekend.  Will post opinions.  

Here’s my take so far…

I can’t speak how it compares w/ the Canon’s and Nikons, but this camera does have some good things going for it.  I essentially wanted a camera that offered more than the little point and shoots (which i have), and had most of the camera controls (aperture, shutter speed, etc.) easily assessable through knobs and dials rather than seaching through a menu to find them.  I think the controls on this camera are very close to those found on a dslr (could be wrong but my roommate, who is a professional photographer, was impressed w/ the camera’s functions so far… he shoots mostly in medium and large format though).  What you lack is the ability to swap lenses but at this point that’s not too big of a deal for me personally.  I ordered the optional lens “shroud” that accepts 58mm filters which is something many point and shoot camera do not allow.  The size is good.  One concern I had w/ going right in for a dslr was how i am going to carry it comfortably fishing.  The Sony is not small, but i know i can get it in the chest pocket of my waders.  And for casual use, it’s still just a point and shoot camera and can fit in a jacket pocket.  Definately has some bulk to it but comfortable and not something that’s going to strain my neck to hang it around.  It accepts compact flash and memory stick.  I have a thing against proprietary memory so i went w/ the CF card.  It has a nice big 2.5″ LCD screen and the ability to shoot in .RAW (takes awhile to record though).  So far it seems like it fits everything i wanted in a camera.  

Now, that said, i wont be surprised if a year or two down the line i’m eyeing up a Nikon D70 or D100 becuase i start to want a more professional setup…. time will tell though, i’m at the beginning phase of getting into this whole new hobby.  i’ll cut my teeth with this guy for now.  If you have any more questions, give a holler.

-matt    

[matt clayton]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m still pricing the camera and memory card, but this option looks ideal. I doubt if I’d take it fishing since I seem to douse myself in the river semi frequently.

[matt leiderman]

i picked mine up from http://www.jr.com

they seems to have one of the better prices around ($430).

[mountainsallaround]

I’m curious; did any of you consider the Fuji S9000? Sounds similar to the Sony.

It’s an interesting part of the market; the intersection of point-and-shoots and DSLRs.

TC

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