to 400d or not to 400d

Eseffpe

Eseffpe

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argh! i cant choose between the 400d or the sony a200 !

im just going to write the pros and cons of each camera so you can see where my trouble lies!

400d reasons to buy
-less noise than the a200 (apparently this is fractional only)
-DOF preview
-larger choice of accessories and lenses

a200 reasons to buy
-image stablisation (i do a lot of macro work so this could be extremely useful)
-spec is slightly better with regard to screen size etc than the 400d
-the lens that comes with this camera is apparently very well made, however the 400d comes with a budget "ish" lens which a lot of people seem to think needs upgrading eventually?

My main trouble here is choosing between giving up the more smooth shots that the 400d will produce or giving up the image stablisation from the a200. if the 400d has image stablisation there would be no contest, and i havent got the budget for extra lenses for the 400d to compensate for this.

Anyone any advice on which way to go ? will the apparently slight extra noise be visible on the a200? im not all that bothered about the accessories range, as the sony can use minolta and sigma and these are both very good manufacturers and cheaper than canon accessories anyway!

thanks !

**ETA - I cant find anywhere that tells me how small to wide the aperture is on the a200?? i think the 400d is somewhere between 2.1 and 90.3 (or something along those lines) this is important too as again with macro work DOF is essential. anyone know where i can find out?**

**ETA AGAIN!- can the 400d or a200 take coloured IR shots does anyone know? also...the a200 takes double the shots before the batteries die! - another plus!**
 
Just to throw a spanner in the works, it may be quite difficult to get hold of a 400d as most stores are selling out to make way for the 1000d! Not sure whether there is still stock floating about.
 
smithphoto said:
Just to throw a spanner in the works, it may be quite difficult to get hold of a 400d as most stores are selling out to make way for the 1000d! Not sure whether there is still stock floating about.
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hey smith photo :wave: this is the second part of the dilema - however canon have an ebay refurb store this is where i was considering getting my 400d - another reason why im more drawn to the a200 - less risky...
 
It's a shame you're not looking to buy one in a few months time, nearer christmas, as my 400D would be up for sale. :(
 
The Sony A100 takes IR shots so at a push I would say the A200 will do too. Although don't quote me.... why not go for the Sony A350 for the extra mp and live view on the extending screen?
 
mattyh said:
More spanners: Have you not considered anything from Nikon? They've got some excellent cameras on the market? What's your max budget?
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yeah the only nikon in my budget is the d40..not a good enough spec IMO for what i want...! no more than £350 (AT MOST!!)

ETA i MAY push myself to the d60 if its REALLY worth it...im so tired at comparing cameras my head is a big fuzz!!
 
My 2p worth..if it is for macro shots, you don't really need image stabilisation, just a sturdy tripod
 
Sony A200 got to be better value around £270ish new. As you say not much between them other than the LCD and in built IS. What you save buying the Sony you may get another lens off ebay knowing any lens on the Sony would be stabilized. I'm thinking of this camera aswell. But try them both first to see what they feel like and try the menu systems out see which you get on with.
 
Also Olympus E410 twin lens kit around £300ish very good kit lenses aswell, live view, 10mpix, small and compact. E510 with kit lens around £350ish same as E410 but got a better grip an in camera IS.
 
I got a 400d about a month ago for 300 pound, best investment i've made........ camera wise.
 
I have a 400D on the market...

400D

(sorry no pics as my www is on vacation :( )
 
Outlaw said:
Sony A200 got to be better value around £270ish new. As you say not much between them other than the LCD and in built IS. What you save buying the Sony you may get another lens off ebay knowing any lens on the Sony would be stabilized. I'm thinking of this camera aswell. But try them both first to see what they feel like and try the menu systems out see which you get on with.
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this was my dilema...check out the canon refurb store on ebay...400d's for £280...altho theres the risk factor as it is a refurb!
 
Have tried both and, from what I remember, Sony just didn't feel 'right'. Looks the part though.:)
Canon on the other hand - had everything I wanted (functionality wise) but was a little small. (I'm a tall so-and-so, 'big hands' ;).) Waited a little longer for budget to grow & got the 40D.
Appreciate your're hankering after stabilisation, but the point concerning the use of the tripod is well made!
'Try before you buy'.........:shrug:
 
canon over sony all the way, 400D amazing got the last one fron my loacal jessops last week n silver oooo how lucky lol. if you cant get a 400D 450D is next.
 
Tommo B said:
Have tried both and, from what I remember, Sony just didn't feel 'right'. Looks the part though.:)
Canon on the other hand - had everything I wanted (functionality wise) but was a little small. (I'm a tall so-and-so, 'big hands' ;).) Waited a little longer for budget to grow & got the 40D.
Appreciate your're hankering after stabilisation, but the point concerning the use of the tripod is well made!
'Try before you buy'.........:shrug:
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cheers...i think im guna get the 400D!
 
Have to agree with a couple of these posts re Canon over Sony. I moved from film to digital a couple of years ago and jumped in with a 350D - great little (note little - I have hands like a bag of sausages!!) camera and I got some stunning results from it.

When recently upgrading I didn't go to the 400 or the 450 - I made the jump straight to the 40D - best move EVER!! Awesom camera, but that is another story. A colleague of mine got a 400D and loves it, but has too just upgraded and got the 450D as there are some good package offers on at present, and his side kick now has the 400D. We have a mutial friend who has a Sony, and the photos are ok... until you put them up against anything, ANYTHING we show - snaps, macro, landscapes, creative... sorry Sony but the Canon wins for me (and my colleague) every time.

And it's not a 'mines bigger than yours' issue either - Sony are a big brand - I just feel from personal and professional experience that Canon (out of these 2 manufacturers) leads the way with regards to photography.

ps - tripod comment by markta is spot on - IS really only comes into full play for hand held outdoor telephoto or people shots. I have IS lenses but don't use that facility when shooting close up or product shots - not needed.
 
I would go for the canon you are after of a D80 best bet is to go to camera shop and play with a couple of models to see what fits best with you.

I friend has just got the A200 and I was not impressed with the camera, it just did not feel right in the hands and the menus and functions were not as easily accessible as my D80 and D200. I have heard also that the Sony lenses are very expensive.

Thats my tuppence worth....

Shutterman
 
Boney Boy said:
Have to agree with a couple of these posts re Canon over Sony. I moved from film to digital a couple of years ago and jumped in with a 350D - great little (note little - I have hands like a bag of sausages!!) camera and I got some stunning results from it.

When recently upgrading I didn't go to the 400 or the 450 - I made the jump straight to the 40D - best move EVER!! Awesom camera, but that is another story. A colleague of mine got a 400D and loves it, but has too just upgraded and got the 450D as there are some good package offers on at present, and his side kick now has the 400D. We have a mutial friend who has a Sony, and the photos are ok... until you put them up against anything, ANYTHING we show - snaps, macro, landscapes, creative... sorry Sony but the Canon wins for me (and my colleague) every time.

And it's not a 'mines bigger than yours' issue either - Sony are a big brand - I just feel from personal and professional experience that Canon (out of these 2 manufacturers) leads the way with regards to photography.

ps - tripod comment by markta is spot on - IS really only comes into full play for hand held outdoor telephoto or people shots. I have IS lenses but don't use that facility when shooting close up or product shots - not needed.
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thanks very much for this - im definately sold on the 400d! i was going to look about an really stretch my budget but thought it may be a better idea to keep some budget for a nice lens too!
 
Good move - anyone and everyone here will tell you to get the best glass you can afford.

You'll get a better photo with a great lens on a good camera, than a good lens on a great camera.

I've seen and (without banging my own drum) taken some cracking images on both my good ol' 350D and my colleagues 400D that look better than some taken on better spec cameras. At the end of the day it's all down to you and your eye!
 
foodpoison said:
Jessops have about 5 in the whole company according to stock levels.
Good luck :thumbs:
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Hi rang jessops yesterday and there out of stock the 400D seams a popular camera, i think i was lucky to find mine, they do seam a good first camera,


Regards Mark
 
Eseffpe said:
oohhhh are u buying yourself a christmas upgrade? i cant wait that long im almost exploding now that i cant make a decision cos i want my new camera!!!!
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That was the plan fella, but a change in circumstances has made it possible for me to get one ASAP, hopefully.

I've got something to sort out, and as soon as that's done the 400D will be up for sale, soon as that sells i'll be off to buy a 40D body.

You have a PM. ;)
 
I would say try both in a shop (if you can't try the 400D, try the 450D, they are similar).

I wouldn't say Canon refurb store is anything t be worried about, I got my 20D from there and have bought compacts there too, some say it is a bit better as all the cameras will have been individually checked, which most cameras won't be...
 
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