Canon EOS 1000d Or Sony Alpha 230 ?

[ROB123]

Hi there im looking into moving into the slr camera types and i managed to find 2 camera's in my price range ! Of around £360 ish,

Please could you advise me of which camera is better for a total novice !! I am just looking for really sharpe picture quality. Thanks again

Rob

[ianpinion]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to the forums. That's an interesting query you raise and to be honest there's not that much to choose between them. Both cameras are perfectly capable of taking quality images, though you will discover in time that it's not the camera body as such that determines the sharpness of the images but the quality of the lens you have on the front. Secondly, it's the skill of the photographer using the camera that really makes the difference. Which brings me nicely on to how you can come to a final decision on which of these two cameras is best for you. You see Rob, the best thing you can do is go to a shop and try them both out. You'll then be able to compare them to each other to see how each feels in your hands, which one has a menu system and controls you like and take a few shots to see which in your eyes performs better for you.

Another factor that could help you decide is if you have any old lenses from a film SLR that could fit your new DSLR. Some old Canon lenses will fit the new DSLRs and if you have old Minolta lenses they will fit the Sony.

Just on a final note and to throw you a slight curved ball, have you also looked at the entry level DSLRs from both Nikon and Olympus too? You should be able to find a model from each of them within your budget so I wouldn't necessarily rule them out either.

Finally, you can get some great deals on some of these manufacturers last years models. This is where these models have been replaced by a newer version, but some retailers may still have stocks of the older model and be trying to sell them off a little bit cheaper. You may find you can pick up a slightly better quality camera for the same price as a brand new basic entry level DSLR. It might well be worth having a look around. There are also some bargains to be had with reconditioned cameras too. They may have just been out on trial with a photographer who didn't like it and decided to return it to the shop and try something else.

Hopefully that has given you a little more to go on, but I must stress that you are going to be the person taking shots with this camera so you have to choose which is best for you, because what might suit you may not suit me or any other photographer for that matter.

[matt wilson]

As above .I researched ,tried a few and one just fitted my hand .A bit like buying a decent pair of shoes .I also went the Canon route because I was used to their menu system from a bridge camera.

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by ianpinion

the best thing you can do is go to a shop and try them both out. You'll then be able to compare them to each other to see how each feels in your hands...

...then you'll buy the Canon.

I was in Park Cameras yesterday looking at entry level SLRs. The new Sony's feel awful. The EOS 1000D feels light but otherwise solid, the Sony's are plasticy and nasty.

It's a shame as the Sony would be the better value camera (over the Canon that is).

[ROB123]

Hi guys budget has gone up now ! I am going to jessops after christmas and i will see whats what, How can i tell whats a good quality lens and what isnt though?

I am going to try the canon EOS 1000d and the sony's and take my pick,

Thanks

[chris-p]

OK... To start off with, what is your budget?

Also, unless you are getting a really spectacular bargain (personally) I wouldn't buy from Jessops. They're overpriced, understocked and most of the staff who work in them know absolutely nothing about photography (this is the case for both my local Jessops).

As for "good quality" lenses... read user reviews and ask for advice on forums like this about specific lenses. You can spend what you like on lenses. I had a go with a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR yesterday which sells for around £6,500.
If you stick to the main brands you'll always be getting something half decent at least. For a "total novice" then the kit lens will be a good place to start. Basically if it looks to good to be true, it usually is. Stick with own brand or known third party lens makers (like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina) and you'll be fine.

[ROB123]

£450 ish is what the sony 330 is at and thats my top end budget, So nothing more than this, The cheapest ive found the sony 230 is £350 and jessops match this price, but point taken, where else can i buy from then instore, As id like to try the camera first, ok so aslong as the lens is braned i should be ok, what dose the f/2.8 mean about the lens?

Thanks !

[chris-p]

You don't have to buy in store. I would use places like Jessops to go and and handle the cameras and then decide what you want. Once you know what you want you can buy it online and save a fortune. If it's cheaper in store then fine but you don't have to restrict yourself.

As for lenses it's not that simple... it depends on what you define as "good quality" and what you're comparing too. Lenses can be a couple of hundred pounds or several thousand pounds. It's about what you want, what you need and what you can afford.
The f/2.8 or f/4 - 5.6 etc. is the maximum aperture of the lens. This controls how much light can be let through the lens. The wider the maximum aperture (the smaller the number) the more light can be let through so the "faster" the lens is. As the maximum aperture gets bigger the lenses get (generally) more expensive, better built and of higher quality.

I would strongly suggest that you do some reading up before you buy anything. If you're unfamiliar with the terminology and the principles then you'd benefit a lot from knowing what they are before you walk into a camera shop.

Have you considered a bridge camera?

[ROB123]

yes but the problem is with them is that, the lens arent interchangable are they???

And thanks about the lens help, i have read, but it dosent stay in ! So more reading is need, hopefully will have one withing the month.

[chris-p]

No, the lenses on bridge cameras aren't interchangeable, thats the point.

For more info on stops & exposure check out my tutorial.

If you're trying to learn, then also consider the Nikon D3000 which has a special "guide" mode which explains things and teaches you how to use the camera as you use it. They're £400 here with a stabilised lens (something you don't get with the Canon).