A330, A500 or A550?

[songws]

Songws, by reading this thread, I sense u r jumping in blindly to buy a dslr. Sorry for sounding so harsh on a newbie like yourself, but please for your ownsake, go to sites like www.dyxum.com, www.dpreview.com, www.photoclubalpha.com and borrow books at library to read up on Photography and SLR/DSLR analogy.

Then after you get the idea of using a dslr and it's subsequent cost, u r ready to purchase one. I think that's more proper than buy first and learn later. At least with prior knowledge, people can't snoob u.

Members here will readily help any newbies, but don't come here with zero knowledge. I hope I don't sound arrogant.

I apologize if I offend any newbies. And don't zoom in on just Sony. To be fair, other brands do make good DSLR.

Look at all of them, if possible, but to cut your homework short - u can't go wrong choosing Sony.

Hi Greenieadi,

Thanks for your advise. I realize that I don't have any knowledge on such thing too, but to me it is a chicken and egg cycle. Which come first? I have 2 book on digital photography by Scott Kelby but when I started reading, I got frustrated cos I don't know and can't try out. Hence, the thought of getting a DSLR to work on. But then since I don't know which is a good brand and model, and in the ITShow, Sony is offering the freebies that I cannot resist especially the free training, thus, I narrowed down to Sony.

I hope that explains my situation. I guess nobody like to be a monk if he has hair, right?

 

[greenieadi]

Hi Greenieadi,

Thanks for your advise. I realize that I don't have any knowledge on such thing too, but to me it is a chicken and egg cycle. Which come first? I have 2 book on digital photography by Scott Kelby but when I started reading, I got frustrated cos I don't know and can't try out. Hence, the thought of getting a DSLR to work on. But then since I don't know which is a good brand and model, and in the ITShow, Sony is offering the freebies that I cannot resist especially the free training, thus, I narrowed down to Sony.

I hope that explains my situation. I guess nobody like to be a monk if he has hair, right?

Good to know you've at least did some homework. But it's not a good enough reason to buy into Sony Alpha system based on freebies alone.

I suggest re-read those books and more. You need to have a strong foundation of photography concepts. Some basic ones like aperture, shutter speed and ISO effects on image. What is aperture priority, shutter priority or spot/center weighted metering.

Many are discouraged by the array of control they can/need to use to get a good picture and end up getting a prosumer instead. At least it saves them a lot headache, time and money. Good for them.

Let's remember you'll be committed to the Alpha system from then on. Not cheap to switch to Nikon/Canon/Pentax/fourthirds system if for what ever reason u find your purchase not to your liking.

Many here been there done that. This is an advise I always give to would-be dslr owners like yourself. I hope you're getting what message I intend to give. And if u decided to go ahead with the purchase, then welcome to the Alpha family.

PS: Forget the A330, just get the A550.

 

[CrossOver]

Good to know you've at least did some homework. But it's not a good enough reason to buy into Sony Alpha system based on freebies alone.

I suggest re-read those books and more. You need to have a strong foundation of photography concepts. Some basic ones like aperture, shutter speed and ISO effects on image. What is aperture priority, shutter priority or spot/center weighted metering.

Many are discouraged by the array of control they can/need to use to get a good picture and end up getting a prosumer instead. At least it saves them a lot headache, time and money. Good for them.

Let's remember you'll be committed to the Alpha system from then on. Not cheap to switch to Nikon/Canon/Pentax/fourthirds system if for what ever reason u find your purchase not to your liking.

Many here been there done that. This is an advise I always give to would-be dslr owners like yourself. I hope you're getting what message I intend to give. And if u decided to go ahead with the purchase, then welcome to the Alpha family.

PS: Forget the A330, just get the A550.

I 2nd that.. But hey, you wouldn't know till you buy right.. If you got the budget, go for A550.. Down the line when you get better and wanna try Canon/Nikon due to the vast lens selection, you can still use sony alpha as your secondary dslr.. No one learns 100% thru reading or research.. Trial and error and regret that makes us learn more..

 

[greenieadi]

I 2nd that.. But hey, you wouldn't know till you buy right.. If you got the budget, go for A550.. Down the line when you get better and wanna try Canon/Nikon due to the vast lens selection, you can still use sony alpha as your secondary dslr.. No one learns 100% thru reading or research.. Trial and error and regret that makes us learn more..

I gave the TS a bit of a "lecture" coz, if he states he start his photography journey from a PnS and later upgrade to prosumer after reading and practising and then jump to dslr after more research then I won't be typing all this.

I'm quite surprise to see many (not only in this forum) jump into the dslr bandwagon without prior knowledge and expecting to produce National Geographic quality images, that's all. Many will be disappointed when their buddy using a PnS cam takes better looking photos.

Anyway, I like to see Alpha users as a well-informed group and just not a brand fanboy/girl.

 

[CrossOver]

I gave the TS a bit of a "lecture" coz, if he states he start his photography journey from a PnS and later upgrade to prosumer after reading and practising and then jump to dslr after more research then I won't be typing all this.

I'm quite surprise to see many (not only in this forum) jump into the dslr bandwagon without prior knowledge and expecting to produce National Geographic quality images, that's all. Many will be disappointed when their buddy using a PnS cam takes better looking photos.

Anyway, I like to see Alpha users as a well-informed group and just not a brand fanboy/girl.

Haha.. I agree on the National Geographic part.. I tot brand fanboy/girl would be towards nikon and canon? hehe.. Well I'm looking forward to the day when alpha bypass both nikon and canon.. Hoping lah..

 

[greenieadi]

Haha.. I agree on the National Geographic part.. I tot brand fanboy/girl would be towards nikon and canon? hehe.. Well I'm looking forward to the day when alpha bypass both nikon and canon.. Hoping lah..

Sony will be there, they have the resources. But I started from KM, just happens Sony took over the Alpha mount from them. Just wish Sony upped their lenses range faster than their body range.

More primes would be a good start. I could care less about Video but "nice to have" fun function.

Songws, do let us know what u get at the IT show.

 

[daredevil123]

I am new and haven't gotten any DSLR yet, but looking at getting one in ITShow tomorrow. Can anyone share with me what's the diff between A330, A500 and A550?

Sorry for asking silly questions, but does that means that 500/550 takes better photo than 330?
;p

Thanks for all the tips, but can I ask why the 500/550 doesn't come with lens for the ITShow promo? And what is the diff between SAL 18-55 and SAL50F18 ?

Curious, how many times zoom (in terms of X) is 18-55?

A330 comes with SAL50F18 as a freebie. Can anyone enlighten me what is the function of this lens?

TS,

Seems like you have no idea whatsoever about photography. I would suggest you defer your purchase till you at least learn some basics. Go to a library, borrow books and read. Go to the internet and read. By the time you are ready to buy a DSLR, the prices would have dropped again, and you might get to buy better and newer cameras.

 

[greenieadi]

daredevil123,

yeah, you've compile the quotes and on same platform as me. I feel the TS got money to burn and sometimes kinda of not easy to get thru especially if today is last day of IT show suddenly we avalanche him with all the concerns, however valid they are.

Hope TS have made the right decision, otherwise don't say we've haven't told u so.:nono:

 

[daredevil123]

daredevil123,

yeah, you've compile the quotes and on same platform as me. I feel the TS got money to burn and sometimes kinda of not easy to get thru especially if today is last day of IT show suddenly we avalanche him with all the concerns, however valid they are.

Hope TS have made the right decision, otherwise don't say we've haven't told u so.:nono:

My point is, if TS is serious about photography, he should think twice. Thing is, different people derive satisfaction from a DSLR differently. Some gets joy just from holding and using a big expensive camera. Some gets off when people notice them doing it with a big and expensive camera. Some even wear cameras like jewelry around their necks. I have no problems with them and what they do. I just make sure I am doing what I enjoy. So in the end whatever the TS chooses is fine with me. If he buys more expensive gear, I am even more happy that he is helping the economy out and potentially helping the 2nd market going.

 

[daredevil123]

With CMOS sensor inside, it sure do ;p

I think A550 share the same AMATEUR level with A330,
the difference only CMOS vs CCD sensor, which is CMOS better

This statement comes up time and time again. And we have discussed it over and over.

Why is CMOS better? Is the inherent characteristics of CMOS design better than CCD design? If so, why are the top cameras like digital medium format and large format cameras are still using CCD?

Please do not make general sweeping statements without the proper knowledge. Saying such things will only make you seem so much more ignorant than you already are.

From http://www.howstuffworks.com/question362.htm

"- CCD sensors, as mentioned above, create high-quality, low-noise images. CMOS sensors, traditionally, are more susceptible to noise.
Because each pixel on a CMOS sensor has several transistors located next to it, the light sensitivity of a CMOS chip tends to be lower. Many of the photons hitting the chip hit the transistors instead of the photodiode.
- CMOS traditionally consumes little power. Implementing a sensor in CMOS yields a low-power sensor.
- CCDs use a process that consumes lots of power. CCDs consume as much as 100 times more power than an equivalent CMOS sensor.
- CMOS chips can be fabricated on just about any standard silicon production line, so they tend to be extremely inexpensive compared to CCD sensors.
- CCD sensors have been mass produced for a longer period of time, so they are more mature. They tend to have higher quality and more pixels."


From http://www.dalsa.com/corp/markets/ccd_vs_cmos.aspx:

"CCDs and CMOS imagers were both invented in the late 1960s and 1970s ... CCD became dominant, primarily because they gave far superior images with the fabrication technology available. CMOS image sensors required more uniformity and smaller features than silicon wafer foundries could deliver at the time. Not until the 1990s did lithography develop to the point that designers could begin making a case for CMOS imagers again. Renewed interest in CMOS was based on expectations of lowered power consumption, camera-on-a-chip integration, and lowered fabrication costs from the reuse of mainstream logic and memory device fabrication. While all of these benefits are possible in theory, achieving them in practice while simultaneously delivering high image quality has taken far more time, money, and process adaptation than original projections suggested"

 

[greenieadi]

This statement comes up time and time again. And we have discussed it over and over.

Why is CMOS better? Is the inherent characteristics of CMOS design better than CCD design? If so, why are the top cameras like digital medium format and large format cameras are still using CCD?

Please do not make general sweeping statements without the proper knowledge. Saying such things will only make you seem so much more ignorant.

From http://www.dalsa.com/corp/markets/ccd_vs_cmos.aspx:

"CCDs and CMOS imagers were both invented in the late 1960s and 1970s ... CCD became dominant, primarily because they gave far superior images with the fabrication technology available. CMOS image sensors required more uniformity and smaller features than silicon wafer foundries could deliver at the time. Not until the 1990s did lithography develop to the point that designers could begin making a case for CMOS imagers again. Renewed interest in CMOS was based on expectations of lowered power consumption, camera-on-a-chip integration, and lowered fabrication costs from the reuse of mainstream logic and memory device fabrication. While all of these benefits are possible in theory, achieving them in practice while simultaneously delivering high image quality has taken far more time, money, and process adaptation than original projections suggested"

sheesh bro, don't be so hard on the newbies. But such statements needs to be corrected though from time to time.

Yeah, sometimes needs to get "whip" :sweat: if anyhow say. That's why one needs to read up b4 hooking up a hobby. Read - technological history and all, if not kena corrected, may think ppl here anti-newbie or something.

The truth is many "experts" here loves to impart their knowledge.

 

[daredevil123]

sheesh bro, don't be so hard on the newbies. But such statements needs to be corrected though from time to time.

Yeah, sometimes needs to get "whip" :sweat: if anyhow say. That's why one needs to read up b4 hooking up a hobby. Read - technological history and all, if not kena corrected, may think ppl here anti-newbie or something.

The truth is many "experts" here loves to impart their knowledge.

I did't sound that harsh/hard, did I? :think:

 

[greenieadi]

I did't sound that harsh/hard, did I? :think:

A bit lar, TS no respond. Maybe TS still at Suntec.:think:

 

[songws]

Hi all,

Many thanks for all your precious opinions, though they came a little late. I had gone ahead with A500 as I like what I see, feel and touch.

Will spend time with friends to see what I can get out of it.

Thanks once again!

Btw, what is "TS"?

Regards,
SONGWS

 

[CrossOver]

Hi all,

Many thanks for all your precious opinions, though they came a little late. I had gone ahead with A500 as I like what I see, feel and touch.

Will spend time with friends to see what I can get out of it.

Thanks once again!

Btw, what is "TS"?

Regards,
SONGWS

Congrats!!! Make sure you post all the pics ya.. Learn as much possible.. TS is thread starter..:thumbsup:

 

[android17]

Hi all,

Many thanks for all your precious opinions, though they came a little late. I had gone ahead with A500 as I like what I see, feel and touch.

Will spend time with friends to see what I can get out of it.

Thanks once again!

Btw, what is "TS"?

Regards,
SONGWS

congrats.

the A500 is a great camera. But u need to learn how to utilize it though, else it'll be a waste.

BTW do attend the free DSLR lesson from Sony.

 

[floater]

WOW, luckily i didn't start this thread, and just went ahead with a500 from IT show. Asked in a500/550 dedicated thread, but got no reply, so I just made the decision...

New to dslr also, but own lx-3 and dp-1, for kind of afraid of a heavy and bulky dslr. But wife wanted one for our coming daughter, so...

Tried a few models recently, and feels a500 size is best to me. 500D/550D a bit smaller. Also got the 5018 at PWP price 119. Dun know if 1.8 is enough for baby shooting, maybe get 5014 later...

 

[maxwell207]

WOW, luckily i didn't start this thread, and just went ahead with a500 from IT show. Asked in a500/550 dedicated thread, but got no reply, so I just made the decision...

New to dslr also, but own lx-3 and dp-1, for kind of afraid of a heavy and bulky dslr. But wife wanted one for our coming daughter, so...

Tried a few models recently, and feels a500 size is best to me. 500D/550D a bit smaller. Also got the 5018 at PWP price 119. Dun know if 1.8 is enough for baby shooting, maybe get 5014 later...

:thumbsup: for ur Sony .. 50f1.8 is gd enough.. $119 is very good pirce.. Great buy! welcome to Sony

 

[marcusy]

1.8 is gd enough i have a 5014 but seldom us till F1.4 normally ias between 2-2.8

WOW, luckily i didn't start this thread, and just went ahead with a500 from IT show. Asked in a500/550 dedicated thread, but got no reply, so I just made the decision...

New to dslr also, but own lx-3 and dp-1, for kind of afraid of a heavy and bulky dslr. But wife wanted one for our coming daughter, so...

Tried a few models recently, and feels a500 size is best to me. 500D/550D a bit smaller. Also got the 5018 at PWP price 119. Dun know if 1.8 is enough for baby shooting, maybe get 5014 later...

 

[songws]

congrats.

the A500 is a great camera. But u need to learn how to utilize it though, else it'll be a waste.

BTW do attend the free DSLR lesson from Sony.

Yes, will go to the workshop soonest, so that I can start shooting ASAP...