Advice please - next DSLR

Grayman · 28 Mar 2009

I really love my Sony A300

but I need to look to the future. I am considering the following three:

Canon EOS 40d
Nikon D90 (although don't care much for movie feature)
Sony A700

At the moment I have only 3 Sony fit lenses, so haven't invested too much in glass. Saying that, it is a start if I buy the A700. My only concern is the limited lenses available for Sony in comparison to the other two.

All have fairly good fps (I think) and would serve me well in my photography interests...sport/wildlife.

Any views to help me decide would be greatly appreciated.

sdb123 · 28 Mar 2009

Grayman said:
Canon EOS 40d
Nikon D90 (although don't care much for movie feature)
Sony A700

Any of them are good camera's but please look past that piece of Nikon marketing! I owned a D90 which was very capable indeed and not once did I use the movie feature (which is supposedly pretty good FWIW). Unfortunately, Nikon have focussed on the unique selling point rather than emphasising how good it is as a camera - it's primary function after all!

jonathan_ed · 28 Mar 2009

well for lens choice i'd go for either then canon or the nikon. Obviously i'm going to be bias in favour of the canon, but i chose that because i preferred the menu working and the feel of the thing over the equivalent nikon.
Everyone will have their own opinion, but i suppose its what you prefer the feel of when its in your hands

peppyuk · 28 Mar 2009

My first DSLR was a Sony, all be it a a100. I moved over to Canon for lens choice and cost. I went with Canon as a friend uses them and has some fancy glass he's happy to lend me

mastertrinity · 28 Mar 2009

if you give it time the alpha system will develop more lenses and theres rumours of a few lenses coming soon this year i believe there is a standard lens like a 17-50mm a wide angle thats about 12-24mm and a prime lens but i dont know about that one. sony are new to the system if your happy with what you've got then STICK WITH IT!

pete.rush · 28 Mar 2009

The Nikon D90 or D80 are good camera's, don't discard them because Nikon are appeasing the P&S fraturity by including gimmicks like this, Canon have done the same with the 50D, I wish they would concentrate on a camera being a camera and remove some of these gimmicks.

Canon and Nikon offer the larger range of lenses etc, plus 3rd party manufactures predominantly make lens for these 2 brands, the canon 40 & 50D are both good choices, so are nikons D80 & 90, then again the sony a700 does have some good reviews. There are a number of good camera's on the market at the moment, at the end of the day, go and try them out take a few cards with you take some images and see which you prefer as its your money.

trinitronfan · 28 Mar 2009

I'd spen a bit extra and go for the Nikon D300. You can then use older Nikkor AI and AIS lenses, which are a bargain.

MarkEvan · 29 Mar 2009

As Pete said head down to the local dealer and try them in the hand, see which feels best and go with that. All three are great cameras capable of taking fantastic pictures with the right person behind the body.

Oh and don`t discount the sony just because it hasn`t got the lens line up that the other two have.........I would imagine in a couple of years they will have a similar line up.

heidfirst · 29 Mar 2009

the A700 is a great camera, imo better than the 40D & it's currently ~ the cheapest that it's ever been.
However it's the oldest current Alpha body & Sony have said that they will launch new bodies over the summer (& Sony tend to be quick between announcement of body & shop availability).

Does the A700 do what you need or does it lack anything that you really want?
Similarly what lenses do you feel are not available for the system that you might need/want?

Grayman · 29 Mar 2009

heidfirst said:
the A700 is a great camera, imo better than the 40D & it's currently ~ the cheapest that it's ever been.
However it's the oldest current Alpha body & Sony have said that they will launch new bodies over the summer (& Sony tend to be quick between announcement of body & shop availability).

Does the A700 do what you need or does it lack anything that you really want?
Similarly what lenses do you feel are not available for the system that you might need/want?

heidfirst..i think you might be right. Between posting the first thread and now I have been looking at the A700 and really do like it. I think that perhaps I have been caught up in the hype regarding Canon and Nikon and the fact that I tend to believe that other users look down on Sony...being the new kid on the block (not forgetting the total buyout of Minolta). I will stay within the Sony family and have been looking at the lenses I wish to buy. The lenses that I liked the look of in other manufacturers exist within Sony. I nearly veered off the path but have regained my direction!! Sony it is and will stay!