Sony alpha DSLR-A200W 10.2-Megapixel Digital SLR

[DeKuma]

Does anyone know anything about this camera.  The reviews I have read were pretty good, and the prices are not bad.
Sinc eour car was broken into on Saturday, my wife's beloved Minolta 35mm SLR and lenses were stolen.  She is heart broken, since the insurance deductible is higher than the damage and missing items, she is just out of luck.

I took a loan against my 401k to cover the car repairs and I should have enough to replace her camera as a surprise for her.  I am making her take the plunge from film to digital.  This package comes with two lenses, a standard and a 75mm - 300mm which is what she had before.

Any opinions/suggestions for a good deal around $600-$700 range?

[Bean Counter]

I passed on the Sony A100 because it had high picture noise. From my understanding, that's a function of sensor quality and not something that not even the best lens in the world can overcome.  The A200 may have corrected upon this problem but I would roll up my sleeves and do some hard core research on a photography forum (birdforum.net, fred miranda, etc).  If the a200 isn't any better in the noise department, I'd pass on it unless you're just looking for a DSLR that's only slightly better than a point-and-shoot.  If you are satisfied being in that range then it may be a good bet.

[popeshawnpaul]

Right now Canon and Nikon are really leading the pack in low noise sensors.  Sony is the 3rd best though and is expected to be a player in the photography dslr industry soon.  I'm not sure about the a100.  There is a new rebel out for Canon.  Nikon is nice as well.  Or go with the Sony if she is ok with it.  I personally think a camera is like a car, you need to test drive it as she may prefer one over the other.  Take a trip to Frys or a camera store to try them out.  When you find the one you want, buy it from a reputable online retailer like B&H so you get the best deal.  Good luck.

[DeKuma]

Thanks for the advice guys!  I am hoping to surprise her with a new one shortly.  I agree it is like a car, but knowing how she ised her old one and the features she used, I think I can make an educated guess.

What can you reccomend in the above price range that is a good all around camera?  Have seen some good deals on the Nikon D40 as well as a couple different Canons.

[Bean Counter]

Right now Canon and Nikon are really leading the pack in low noise sensors.  Sony is the 3rd best though and is expected to be a player in the photography dslr industry soon.  I'm not sure about the a100.  There is a new rebel out for Canon.  Nikon is nice as well.  Or go with the Sony if she is ok with it.  I personally think a camera is like a car, you need to test drive it as she may prefer one over the other.  Take a trip to Frys or a camera store to try them out.  When you find the one you want, buy it from a reputable online retailer like B&H so you get the best deal.  Good luck.

 

No disrespect to the good Pope but I would avoid B&H Photo.  I gave them not one but two chances and both times they disrespectfully packaged a camera I ordered from them.  It was wrapped in an ugly, mangled box that looked as though it had been molested by a gorrilla.  Rather than wrap the camera and $500 lens inside the bubble wrap, the simply shoved them into the corner of the box, and put the bubble wrap on the other side.  I refused both shipments and I have no qualms about doing so.  When I was 14 and in 8th grade, I would have treated an item like that with more respect.  Good grief.  To B&H's credit, they gave me a full refund including shipping costs and paid for the item to be returned. 

Do some research on epinions.com, etc.  You'll find this troll named Henry Prosner that works for them who seems to sit online all day long and do damage control for their shoddy shipping practices. 

I hear Adorama Camera, also based out of NYC, may possibly be of an affiliated ownership, but is much better ran.  Prices are comparable to B&H but the stuff I ordered was packaged appropriately.

[popeshawnpaul]

I really think there are two choices if you think she wants the versatility of a dslr.  For Nikon the D60 is their newest camera and is rated very well.  It is $699 with the kit lens.  Here is a link to it below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542463-REG/Nikon_00025438_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

If you are a Canon type person, there are a few potential choices.  The best choice is probably the brand spankin new Rebel XS.  It is $699 with the kit lens.  Here is a link to it below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571144-REG/Canon_2762B003_EOS_Rebel_XS_a_k_a_.html

You could also go for an XSI for the same price and that gives you a 12 mp sensor vs. 10 mp on the XS.  However, the XS is a newer camera and has better overall features.

Yikes, just saw the above post.  I have ordered from them for over 18 years and have never had a bad shipment.  I just got a shipment from them a few months ago and it was fine.  They are the highest rated camera seller in the U.S.  If you prefer Adorama, that's ok.  They are not affiliated that I'm aware of.  I have ordered from Adorama and they are fine.  If something does come in and is damaged, they replace it for free and pay for everything.  Can't beat that and it saves you a few hundred bucks over buying local.  Always check out online retailers at resellerratings.com to find out if they are legitimate. 
Good luck and hope she likes whatever you get.

[popeshawnpaul]

Came across this Canon 20D in the ads.  It's $425 and a good substantial feeling camera.  Me personally, I would want this camera over a Rebel just because it feels more substantial and not so plastic feeling and small in my hands.  I can see where a female will probably want a Rebel though.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pho/803721968.html

[DeKuma]

After a lot of review and price searching, I went ahead and got her the Sony A200.  I also sprung for another lens, and got her a 70-300mm to go with it, as well as a new bag, and memory cards, etc.  She is excited to say the least.
I really liked the Nikons, but when comparing features, and our skill level, the Sony fit well, and fit her hands well.  I was able to get what I thought was a good deal, and was out the door at $711 for the camera with 18-70 lens, additional 70-300 lens, memory card, and a camera equipment bag. 
She was speechless and then got all teared up that I did that for her.  She knew I had put the moeny aside to pick up a commuter car, but after the week she had getting her car broken into and losing her beloved Minolta, I felt her happiness was more important and I would worry about a cheap car later.

Thanks for all you advice.  I hope to get her out taking some wildlife pictures soon!

[popeshawnpaul]

Sounds good.  Sony is a good brand.  Many say it's the 3rd best brand behind the big 2.  Many also say they will take over and be bigger than Canon or Nikon very soon.  They are coming out with a 24 megapixel camera really soon and have the best resources to push the other two camera makers.  Time will tell. 

Digital can be confusing at first so don't hesitate to ask questions or have her ask questions.

[DeKuma]

Thanks Shawn!  She is excited about you having some classes.  She is not available this weeend, but wants to get in on the chats.  She has been looking at your photos and getting more excited by the minute.
Wish I could have stepped up to the 350 at 14mp, but since she is historically a film shooter, and this is her first run into the digital SLR world, I think she will be fine.  Can always upgrade to the new D50 or the 24mp Sony when it hits.

[Bean Counter]

Yikes, just saw the above post.  I have ordered from them for over 18 years and have never had a bad shipment.  I just got a shipment from them a few months ago and it was fine.  They are the highest rated camera seller in the U.S.  If you prefer Adorama, that's ok.  They are not affiliated that I'm aware of.  I have ordered from Adorama and they are fine.  If something does come in and is damaged, they replace it for free and pay for everything.  Can't beat that and it saves you a few hundred bucks over buying local.  Always check out online retailers at resellerratings.com to find out if they are legitimate. 
....

I suppose it depends on what your definition of 'fine' is.  I don't remember whether we tried turning that camera on that we got from B&H. I do remember that everything looked 'fine' on the outside--no scratches, cracks, or even bruised internal boxes.  But when the exterior is barely held together and the wrapping clearly did not protect the camera and more importantly,the lens during the rigors of shipment, I don't want to accept such a highly complex piece of machinery after that.  Sure they have a one year warranty or whatever, but I don't want to wait and find out whether a blade in the lens that was loosened during shipment will rear its ugly head 13 months down the road.  I could deal with shoddy packaging if I were ordering a cutting board or a stapler if everything just looked okay on the outside.  People who can't respectfully package such equipment don't deserve to be in the business nor my money.

I'm glad your transactions with them have been positive. I also believe in second chances.. which is exactly what I gave them. I discarded the crappy box they send the camera to me in and rewrapped the camera/lens properly and in a nice sturdy box.  I then placed the same order a few weeks later and got the same shoddy box with miniscule packaging.   



Well, at least I got to use that one--I've been wanting to for a while 

[popeshawnpaul]

Resellerratings.com has them rated 22/108 online stores with stores that have a top rating.  In reality this is out of hundreds of stores.  They are rated 9.08/10 on the shipping, and they are the top rated overal online store and have well over 5000 reviews on that site.  So you are right, they aren't perfect on shipping as they have only received a 9.08/10.  They are as high as any retailer for the most part and about as good as you can get for an online retailer.  I have no allegiance to B&H.  I would also say that if a box is hammered that bad could there be some culpability on the shipper?  They do have a 1 year warranty and 30 day return policy with the store.  I'm pretty sure if you use the camera for a year and get no problems there is little or no chance it will develop a "loose" shipping problem over a year later.  Call me crazy.  Or maybe I just like to debate...