D-SLR Toss up..

amercnwmn · #1 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 04:24 AM

I mentioned my 5yr old Kodak finally went kaput. Time to make a step up.

I'm considering a Sony Alpha 230 or a Nikon D3000

Wal Mart currently has the Alpha for $399 on sale, while the Nikon is $499. I really am trying to stay under $500 or $600 bucks, less if I can. But these cameras both take excellent pics:

Sony-Alpha-A230-Slr-Digital/11089350

Nikon-10.2-MP-D3000-Kit-WM

Now I read the reviews on C-net and several other electronic online reviews, but I'm looking for people who have used, or know someone who used/uses these cameras to toss some input out there.

I understand the Sony tends to be a louder camera during low light shots, and lacks live view capability on the LCD.
I'm really vacillating between these two. They seem very similar except for price and a few minor differences.

Byron · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 04:27 AM

Nikon D3000 10.2MP DSLR Digital SLR Camera Body NEW USA - eBay (item 350308840885 end time Feb-22-10 18:30:05 PST)

amercnwmn · #3 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 04:30 AM

Yeah I've been surfing Ebay some as well. If I get one I will probably just hit up wally world. Got burned pretty bad on Ebay, and the price difference isn't significant enough to warrant it.

I was more interested in feedback from individuals who use either camera what the quirks were.

LooseAFur · #4 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 04:41 AM

I'd say go with the Nikon...time tested I might need to get one while they are so cheap

BRITTani · #5 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 04:43 AM

I have a Nikon d3000 and I have used and tested the sony...I work in walmart electronics lol.. I prefer my nikon much more...nothing really HUGE in differences I just...prefer it as an instinct I suppose

amercnwmn · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 05:02 AM

Right on, you probably would know a lot more about their functions, sales, and features. Right now wally world has a good package, like the lens, case, and memory cards for the Nikon.
I think I may go that way. I go back and forth.
I plan on going to the local camera store and checking both of them out where I can turn them on and ask ??s.
Thats the ONE downfall of Wal Mart, some cameras are plugged in, some aren't.

BRITTani · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 05:04 AM

None**** of our cameras work, but I get to play with things in the backroom >_> <_< Thats what I suggest though, get a feel for what you like...I got a package deal on Amazon with my camera around christmas time...

rellek · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 10:54 AM

I say Nikon. We use there d90's which they stopped making.

Sliding Scales · #9 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 06:45 AM

Nikon advertising works again. I used Minolta film cameras for years and when I got back into digital photography I looked at them all and bought the Sony. I wish I had a quarter for every guy I have seen with a Nikon that does not even know how to use it. Sony bought out Minolta and the lenses are really good as Minolta was one of the few companies that ground their own lenses. Which brings up another point. Instead of blowing a wad of cash on the Nikon, buy a Sony an assortment of some really good quality lenses. I have my eye on a Lica lens, which is much more than my Sony A350 cost. However, the picture with those things are amazing! I see so many Nikon owners using one lens, or a bunch of cheap lenses, which is like putting bad tires on a super bike. When you get the camera...USE IT! You need to stay sharp, and picking it up once a month will do you no good at all. The other thing is to get great memory. I use the SanDisk Extreme III, which is fast, 30MB's per second. Oh...one final thing. If you don't shoot your pictures in the RAW (no...not in the nude) format, then don't waste your money on a nice camera. Really...its like putting crappy gas in the super bike. That means using a good software for processing your photos....and no...that does not mean you have to run out and buy Adobe Photo shop. Way more then you need.

Icicle · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 08:14 AM

Sorry but I'm a Canon shooter.

toker · #11 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 04:17 PM

any D-SLR is going to be good... personally my wife and I use nikon b/c we have had a N60, N80 then went to D-100 and recently D-90.

What gets you is the lenses. Most prices you find is for the camera body and if you do get more its often a cheap 25-80mm

Just do your research and yahoo!

good luck!

mpgt · #12 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 04:57 PM

Nikon and Canon lenses are great. A lot of pros use them, and that means there are lots of used lenses on the market...and some awesome, very expensive ones you can sometimes rent. That will sway me when I buy one.

nitram · #13 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icicle

Sorry but I'm a Canon shooter.

im with you on that one! got myself a sick canon i dont even know how to use. the woman is the better photographer she picked it out. i just know its a beast.

Aaron-Insular · #14 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 07:26 PM

I just think Nikon makes better cameras then sony, and you can put better lenses on it. I think it's worth the extra $

Ali · #15 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 07:51 PM

I would go with the Nikon simply because when you are ready to go to the higher-tier equipment, Nikon has far more to provide you than Sony. That way you'll be able to use the lenses you already have on a new body. A lot of people have different opinions on this, but Nikon produces some of the best lenses on the market. There's a reason that Nikon has been doing this for a long time. I've used several different cameras (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic, etc.) and Nikon has the best ergonomics out of all them. There's nothing more important to a photographer than the ability to change the controls and settings without having to fumble with a hundred buttons.

Just as a side note, I would highly recommend that you go with the Nikon D90 as your first camera. It is a very WELL engineered item and has far more features than the 3000. It's a bit more money, but you'll soon grow out of the 3000 and will want a new one, and you'll wish that you had spent that extra $500 in the beginning to get the D90. Photography is NOT a cheap hobby and it's best to plan ahead.

Best of luck.

Sliding Scales · #16 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali

I would go with the Nikon simply because when you are ready to go to the higher-tier equipment, ...

That's exactly right! Don't get me wrong but Nikon is some good stuff! If you want to go pro? The Canons are great too, and it comes down to a feature thing. I can get as good as picture as anyone with my Sony, and the Sony lenses are awesome. But put a Lica on it and watch out! Then again, like the Nikon lenses, a thousand dollars a pop is a lotta bucks. The Sony has the image stabilization built into the body, which is not necessarily better, but it does make it easier to buy lenses.

The Nikon and Cannons can be remotely controlled, via a software, which is really cool. That way you could sit in another room and get those really candid shots of you favorite snake. (Mine see me so quickly...

)

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