 Ariel Lepor |
Sony Alpha A100 vs Pentax K10D Which DSLR is better: the Sony Alpha A100 or the Pentax K10D?
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anonymous A. |
In your hands, Ariel, either one would produce great pictures! On paper, the Sony appeals to me more, but the reviews I have read are mixed. I really can't see choosing either one over the latest Canon and Nikon equivalents at the price.
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John P. Sandstedt |
The problem, in asking the question you have, is that the chances that anyone, other than someone like Peter Burian, having used both these cameras is fairly low. If you read Pop Photo, you know the Alpha 100 was named camera of the year due to "innovation," not necessarily for better image-making. In fact, and David's comment was right on target, in side-by-side comparisons, the Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80 seemed to be rated more highly. As to the K10D, I bought K1000's for both my sons [when teenagers] because they were basic workhorse cameras with which a person could really learn to take good pictures at a fairly low {camera body] price. The articles I've read suggest this camera takes over that tradition. The K10D is billed as more of a true entry level camera. If price isn't an issue, you need to think about whether you want an entry level or something a little better. COntrary to camera manufacturers that are interested in having folks purchase new models whenever they're introduced, I'm a firm believer in knowing the features you will use [and maybe want for the future] and buying those in the camera you choose one time. When I bought my 30D earlier this year, I never considered the Rebel XT - for example. And, I can't see that I'll ever need to upgrade [especially after reading the article in Pop Photo last month that described the myth about sensor size.]
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Ariel Lepor |
Thanks for the contributions, David and John! (And thanks for the compliment, David. :) Canon and Nikon do seem the be the DSLR kings, but I was impressed with the fact that the Alpha 100 and The K10D have image stabilization and the ability to easily remove dust from the sensor (a feature which the XTi also has). Also the in-camera HDR feature of the Alpha seems useful.
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anonymous A. |
Good points. Ariel: but you have accumulate quite a lot of experience and perhaps should be looking beyond an entry level system...It would be a shame to outgrow you SLR within the first 12 months!
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Ariel Lepor |
*^_^* I think any SLR might still be 12 months away from me, but thanks! I'm kind of on a budget, and if I get an SLR, I want to be sure I need it, can afford it, and will be able to use it with ease. Anyway, thank you for another compliment!
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anonymous A. |
You are mistaking simple observations for compliments! Be assured, SLRs are no harder to master than compacts.
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Justin G. |
And you have to think Aerial it's not so much the camera that makes the image, it's the lens. Does Sony or Pentax have the lenses to match the Canons or Nikons? You have a plethora of lens choices in terms of versatility and quality with Nikon and Canon. Can Sony and Pentax lenses match Canon or Nikon? That's something else you should consider.
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John P. Sandstedt |
Hi Justin - When I was shooting Minolta in the dark ages, Minolta glass was every bit as good as Nikon's and Canon's. And, all were trying to beat Schneider glass, which was used on Leicas. Nikon of course took the lead for a long tome, but it's not clear whether, in fact their glass is superior today.. Pentax has been around a long time and, frankly, their glass has historically been very good too. With the coming of decent third party glass [Sigma, Tamron, Tokina] it's pretty hard to be sure the differences are more than reflective of loyalty to a camera manufacturer's products. FOr example, my Tamron 28-200 mm zoom for my EOS 3 beats the comparable Canon, as shown in Pop Photo tests and others. But, there remain those who will "raise your Nikon with two Canon's, etc. etc. I think Ariel must read the reviews - in BP, in the various magazines and, if he is able, he might try to rent some lenses to see what works for him in his price range. By the way did you buy a digital or are you still shooting medium format? Regards
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Justin G. |
Hey John, not shooting digital yet. In that respect, I was "dogging" Sony or Pentax, you just don't hear about them too much, being the underdogs and all. I just don't know myself to give advice, I was just insisting that the OP research the lenses too. Hey it might work out for the better, you know. But yeah I wasn't downplaying them, just trying to inform them to research lenses, to and make sure that each manufacturer, whether it be Nikon Canon Sony or Pentax, has what they will want in the future. Anyways yes I'm still shooting MF which I'm taking the hint that I shouldn't be giving digital advice, but just trying to get the point across that it's more than the camera. I will be shooting with D2X's soon...I'm crosstraining into Combat Photography in the Air Force so soon I'll be able to give digital advice based on experience, and not friends heresay. And you also mentioned that they "were" every bit as good but are they still. Does Sony and Pentax offer digital lenses? (This I don't know, just asking...) Also you make a great point of Tamron and Sigma which I didn't even consider which if they offer Sony and Pentax mounts, then Ariel might be set to go with either camera they are considering. Just bringing up food for thought, that's all. Not trying to recruit anyone into Canon or Nikon, I just know they are the two leading competitors of 35mm digital. Sorry, Ariel, for any misinformation that I may have given. Please disregard if you feel the need.
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Ariel Lepor |
Thank you, guys. Justin, that's a good point, and I know that you were just saying that cameras aren't the only thing to look at. I think Sony and Pentax both offer many lenses. But does it matter if I use a Sony camera with a Nikon lens?
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Justin G. |
Ahh I meant to say "I wasn't "dogging"..." Anyways Ariel, I'm honestly not sure if you can. There might be a mount to put a Nikon lens on the Sony, but I don't know if that would mean manual metering. Sorry I couldn't help.
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anonymous A. |
Sony opted to retain the Minolta lens mount; hundreds of excellent lenses, including a small but adequate range designed for digital sensors. The Pentax will accept all lenses ever made for the system from about 1970 onwards, and that includes a growing range of digital glass, too. Tamron, Tokina, Sigma all support Pentax; and at least 2 of the 3 companies also support Minolta. I had a Sigma lens fittes to a Minolta 3x and it was a fine piece of glass, while the Tokina tele-zoom I used with my Ricoh (which used the Pentax mount) was a peach. Since we have strayed this far from the original question, I have to offer my stock advice ... it is the camera that fits your hand and style that you will make your best pictures with. Use the time while your bank balance is growing to go into the shops and handle the candidates for you dollars. Get a feel for what they offer. Look through the viewfinders (that will be a revolution after your present kit) ~ some show much more of the image than others, some are brighter, some offer a range of aids to composition (like marking the intersection of thirds); some are cluttered with info that obscures the image, other have essentiial information that's frustrating because you can't see it without taking your eye off the picture... Weight means very little on paper; a comapratively heavy camera that is well balanced and the right size for your hand seems much lighter than one that tips the scales below the first, but has the wrong ergonomics for you. That's not brand issue, either; I have a friend who loves her Nikon D70 but just can't use the lighter D50 or the same-weight D100 without her wrists aching. The camera and lens design and the way they marry can also be a significant issue withe camera movement, and given your love of birds you should try the cameras with a long lens attached: I think balance can have as big an influence on camera movement as electronic anti-shake devices, even if only because you are going to rely on them more if the system is not stable to begin with. I think I got a bit long winded here(which is not to say I have run out of things to say!!!) so I'll close and let someone else have a spruke.
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Ariel Lepor |
David, why would I outgrow one of these two slrs? They do accept Nikon (and other) lenses I think. Is the quality of the pictures just not good? Do they lack some important features I would want?
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anonymous A. |
The Sony and the Pentax use their own and third party lenses, but not Nikon lenses. The pictures will be great! But the range of features and manual controls, frame rates (like 5fps vs. 3fps), build quality, options to over-ride standard settings, remote cordless remote triggering, intermittant exposure control and other "advanced" options may not be there in these... that is why they are called "entry-level" cameras.
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