Canon 650d vs Sony A65

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Dem

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Hi all,

Due to a slight problem with a camera order, I now have the opportunity to re-evaluate my choice of a 650d.

I am a novice, but I love tech. I want to learn, but I have a budget. I love black and white photography, but I dislike 'grey'. I love landscapes, but also as close up as one can get.

I had decided on a 650d as this is within budget and offers me some creative potential. However, as I am back at square one, does anyone have experience of both a 650d and an A65? I would be very interested in your opinion.
 
The auto focus system on the canon is far superior to that on the sony, with 9 cross points instead of the 3 on the sony, it also has a better sensor, wider dynamic range and ISO range as well as handling image noise better at high ISO's.

I would stick with the 650D, its in a different league to the A65 and thats without even looking at its excellent video capabilities.
 
iancandler said:
The auto focus system on the canon is far superior to that on the sony, with 9 cross points instead of the 3 on the sony, it also has a better sensor, wider dynamic range and ISO range as well as handling image noise better at high ISO's.

I would stick with the 650D, its in a different league to the A65 and thats without even looking at its excellent video capabilities.
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How wrong can you get?

The 650D may have more cross points but it only has 9 points in total where the Sony has 15. The Sony has AF uninterrupted by mirror flipping - tbh I doubt that there is much between them

Again, which is the better sensor is debatable - the Sony is likely (DxO have yet to test the 650D) to have wider dynamic range, more MP & be better at low ISO but the Canon processing is possibly better at high ISO.

The 650D most certainly isn't in a different league but they certainly have different strong points.
& the Sony also has excellent video.
 
Well, I did ask for people’s opinions :)

Being new, I have read around. I know that the 650D, A65 and 5100 are all in my price bracket (as is a 60D).

On a plus side, it’s all new to me. I have no experience of the pluses and minuses of the different cameras, and what this means to the pictures taken.

On the down side, I have no experience of the pluses and minuses of the different cameras, and what this means to the pictures taken. :)

I read somewhere else that to a novice, these types of cameras and their capabilities will far out-weigh my skill. I am happy with this.

My gut (or stubbornness) tells me to go with the 650D. Given that this is £620 of my money, I just don't want to buy a Lemon.

Again, ta for your views.
 
for landscapes where high ISO usually isn't necessary I would probably lean towards the higher detail of the Sony's more megapixels.
Unless you get a bad copy the Canon is unlikely to be a lemon as it's another minor evolution of an existing design.

Have you been to a shop & handled them?
 
You won't buy a lemon from any of those choices and none of them will be the inhibitor to you getting great shots. Just buy whatever one appeals to you for whatever reason. Sounds like you want the 650D so just get that.
 
heidfirst said:
for landscapes where high ISO usually isn't necessary I would probably lean towards the higher detail of the Sony's more megapixels.
Unless you get a bad copy the Canon is unlikely to be a lemon as it's another minor evolution of an existing design.

Have you been to a shop & handled them?
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The problem there though is I'd say that from the tests I'v seen very few if any lenses are actually able to exploit that resolution corner to corner, even Sony's new 16-50mm has alot of dropoff stopped down. For landscape use its looking to me like if you want to really go past 16/18 megapixels and actually be able to exploit it you need to go full frame.

The largest difference between them is obviously the Canon having an optical viewfinder and the Sony an electronic one, besides that it looks to me like...

Sony - Better central resolution, higher FPS.

Canon - Better autofocus, video autofocus.
 
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Moreorless said:
Canon - Better autofocus, video autofocus.
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why do you think this?
The Canon has more cross points but fewer points in total.
The Sony can continuously AF with no interruptions due to the lack of mirror.
As I said earlier I suspect that it's a wash.
However, as for on AF in video (& in LiveView) I strongly suspect that the Sony will be better.
 
The nikon 5100 doesn't have an in body focus motor so you can't use some of Nikon lenses with it all if you want AF. Added complication.

Big advantage with sony is the in body stabilisation. With canon/nikon you have to keep buying stabilised versions of lenses.

Can't beat just going into a shop and picking them all up really. One will just feel right. Get that one.
 
Not sure I'd buy into the argument that fewer cross-type points equals worse AF argument. Personally, I've read nothing but good reviews of the a65's AF ability. I think this boils down to the higher FPS, EVF, higher MP count and lens line-up of the Sony system versus the Canon name, possibly better video implementation, OVF and vast upgrade path. Do not think either body is a lemon though and both will doubtless be capable of great images in a range of shooting situations. The a65 is a known item with many happy users !

Good luck with your selection.
 
Meant to add that the a65 provides in-body IS, of course, which will dramatically reduce the cost of a suite of lenses if you want this facility in Canon fit.
 
Dem, if you live anywhere near to Lincoln feel free to come and have a look at a 650D and a 60D. Can't help with the Sony as I've never used one but, I can tell you that the 650D and the 60D have very similar features such as AF, fps and articulating screen but the 650D has a new sensor and a Digic5 processor, better ISO and has the touch screen (which is very sensitive) and with the STM lenses it has better continuous AF in video. I bought the 650D recently for the wife primarily, but I'm very interested in the video capabilities of it as I haven't really used video in any of the other bodies I've had.

Again, I don't know about the availability of lenses for the Sony but the Canon has a massive range of excellent lenses to choose from, some of which are available for excellent prices. The 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS kit lenses for the Canon are fairly cheap but the IQ is great for the price.
 
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modchild said:
Dem, if you live anywhere near to Lincoln feel free to come and have a look at a 650D and a 60D. Can't help with the Sony as I've never used one but, I can tell you that the 650D and the 60D have very similar features such as AF, fps and articulating screen but the 650D has a new sensor and a Digic5 processor, better ISO and has the touch screen (which is very sensitive) and with the STM lenses it has better continuous AF in video. I bought the 650D recently for the wife primarily, but I'm very interested in the video capabilities of it as I haven't really used video in any of the other bodies I've had.

Again, I don't know about the availability of lenses for the Sony but the Canon has a massive range of excellent lenses to choose from, some of which are available for excellent prices. The 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS kit lenses for the Canon are fairly cheap but the IQ is great for the price.
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Don't live near Lincoln, but what a wonderfull offer. I won't be taking you up on it, but it's really good of you. If everyone in life was as nice as this, just think what a better world we would live in.

Appreciated.
 
for video the A65 would blow the 650 away surely ? A65 has translucent mirror so autofocus system for video on the A65 has got to be superior to the canon that has a physical moving part between the sensor and the lens i.e the mirror ?

All sony cameras come with in body IS so you can save a small fortune on lenses as you never need to by an IS version again.

The A65 is capable of more FPS also as it is not limited by the mirror movements but I think the buffer might let it down here.

Canon comes with its benefits also one is going to have to be a far superior market share hence giving more buyig options in the 2nd hand market. Sometimes thats a good enough reason to sway many people

I don't think anyoen can make a sweeping statement that the 650D is in a different league to the 65 at all without first actually properly listing out all the pro's and cons of both systems.

Why do people hate on Alphas so much ?
 
Why do people hate on Alphas so much ?

I have no idea mate, thats why I am on here asking for opinions :)

One of the things that is pushing me towards the 650D is having the software that enables you to 'Drive' the camera from a Computer. Don't ask me what real life applications I have for this, I don't know but it appeals.

There are also a few apps appearing that enable you to control the camera from an Ipad or Android.

Does anyone know if Sony offer the same sort of software, and if so, what is it called?
 
Hmm have re-read the above and feel it needs some explaining. I earlier stated that I did not wish to purchase a 'Lemon' and I think that I have been reassured that at this price point no 'Lemons' exist.

The other think I wish to do is explore photography! With this aim in mind (and rembering that I have a budget) I want to explore some of what is on offer.

Reading what I wrote above I think I come across as being more interested in messing around with the technology rather than developing as a photographer - my aim is not to paint myself into a corner and to keep some of my options open.

Please don't think that I am asking questions rather than doing but I find all your views invaluable and make no apologies for calling upon your real life experiences.
 
Dem said:
Why do people hate on Alphas so much ?

Does anyone know if Sony offer the same sort of software, and if so, what is it called?
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It's called 'tethering', to that point I am unsure if Sony or a third party can enable this. Real world application is questionable unless you're in studio environment.

I don't think people hate Alphas as such, just that not everyone has experience of using different brands and thus it results in comparing 'specs' on paper. I have been fortunate enough to use Canon / Nikon and Sony and I own a Sony myself. At the end of the day, both will take good pictures given time and practice after acclimatising to the quirks and shortfalls of each brand/camera.

What I would say, if you have friends/family that go on photography excursions with you - it's useful to have the same brand so you can swap/borrow/steal equipment :-D

Good luck
 
Lack of support for tethering is a pet hate of mine. Sony don't seem interested. I think only the older models like the A700, A850 and A900 support it. Only way round it would be to use an eyefi card I think. Maybe they think they don't need to bother as the eyefi card is so well known. Daft really as in studio situations tethering is a great advantage.

I don't know whether you can use the hdmi out on a big screen while shooting as that would be another way of actually seeing what you are doing a bit better.
 
Compatibility with accessories will also be an issu, my 1st dslr was a pentax k20d & although it was a great camera compatibility with some accessories was difficult. I've now got a canon 60d and I mist say its a great camera even in low light and I'm having no problems finding accessories now.
 
srichards said:
I don't know whether you can use the hdmi out on a big screen while shooting as that would be another way of actually seeing what you are doing a bit better.
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you can.
Still doesn't let you change settings from a PC though (like you can on the A700, A850 & A900).

modchild mentioned in passing lens availability for Sony - unless you have some pretty specialist needs (which also tends to mean fairly high prices) there is absolutely no problem. Usually if you have the specialist need you know it & buy the lens first & the body to fit 2nd.
In fact if you take image stabilisation into account you are far better off in availabilty on Sony than on either Canon or Nikon as all lenses become stabilised. 1 of the reasons that Canon & Nikon appear to have more lenses is that they offer both stabilised & non-stabilised versions where Sony only need to offer 1.

If you have a local shop where you can handle both go & have a play.
 
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