DSLR 10 megapixel cameras: Nikon D80, Canon EOS400D, Sony A100 – what’s better to buy?

OK I know – I need Digital SLR camera for myself, my pleasure and my travels (look at my The Thai Tramp blog. But what camera is better for me – the choice is really great! For what camera do I want to pay my money? What do we have in the market? I think it’s more interesting to talk only about 10 megapixel DSLR cameras now. We have a SLR device from Nikon – D80 for $920 – 960 for body. But you need Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens for $180 or Nikon 18-70 mm AF-S DX f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED Zoom Lens for $400 if you want to take good pictures (and pleasure) with this excellent device. Add memory card, case and other accessories and the price goes up. But all of these things you need for all SLR cameras and we talk only about prices for body and lens. What we can have for $1100 – 1300 from Nikon? Firstly – it’s Nikon and we must pay some money for this brand. Secondly, CCD sensor by Sony with 23.6 x 15.8 mm size and max resolution in 3872 x 2592, ISO 100-1600 (plus 3200 with boost), continuous drive in 3 fps, up to 23 JPEG, 6 NEF images and 2,5” LCD with 230000 pixels. The weight (inc. batteries) - 668 g and dimensions - 132 x 103 x 77 mm are not so big. What can’t we have? There isn’t image stabilization - useful service, which can help us to save some money for buying cheaper lenses.
The next device comes from Canon – EOS400D, cost $730 – 840 with EF-S 18-55mm II Kit lenses (we talk about Canon’s kit bad quality). You need Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 DG f/ Canon EOS (58mm) for $160 or Sigma 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 DG ASP Macro f/Canon EOS (62mm) for $250 as standard or more. For $890 – 1090 we can have: Canon’s SMOS 22.2 x 14.8 mm sensor with max resolution in 3888 x 2592, the same like Nikon ISO rating, continues drive in 3.0 fps, 27 JPEG or 10 RAW frames, 2,5” LCD and to say no for image stabilization system. For bonus this camera has a new dust removal system which includes anti-static surface coatings. The weight (inc. batteries) - 556 g, dimensions - 127 x 94 x 65 mm are comfortable.
And we have Sony's first digital SLR – A100 for $700 – 800 for camera with not bad kit lens DT 18-70mm F3,5-5,6 (well-know as Konica-Minolta kit). If you want to ask the question to Sony: “What f… are you doing on DSLR market?”- Sony can answered – anything! Who made sensors for Nikon and others? Sony made. This monster of electronics devices made not only sensors, processors – Sony was buying Konica-Minolta for digital cameras production and Karl Ceizz for lenses making. Look at these posts:
- How to shoot with 10 great Sony Alpha lenses and not to be beaten by salesmen
- Choosing DSLR camera lenses: take a shoot before buying
What’s a result? This camera has CCD sensor with size 23.6 x 15.8 mm which stay in Nikon pro camera D200! Sony A100 has the same ISO and the same 3 fps. It has a sensor clinging system and sensor shift Image stabilization system. It’s no bad if you want to buy 75-300mm F4,5-5,6 chip kit lens and take a picture of your beauty girl-next-door without she’s permit. And it’s no bad if you want to buy Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical Super Compact AF Lens for $800. The weight (inc. batteries) - 638 g, dimensions - 133 x 95 x 71 mm are comfortable too. May be its good when new non specialized company come to the market, may be no but these device is interesting for buying. But we have other SLR cameras from Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and Leica – do you want to know more?