Why did you choose Sony?

[Anbesol]

I would like to ask the forum goers what influenced their decision to purchase the Sony system (or, as is the case with me, what was the Konica Minolta system).

For me, having entered into the system with the Minolta Maxxum 5D, noise performance, in-camera stabilization and cost efficiency of the lens was what sold me on it. I was very seriously considering the Canon alternative, but it cost more, offered no stabilization, at the time the IS lens were a significant chunk of change more, and the body was not as comfortable to hold as the 5D. I was interested in Canons XT primarily for its CMOS sensor and greater megapixels (8 megapixels is a substantial chunk more than 6), but cost, comfort, and anti-shake ended up trumping CMOS and the 2 extra megapixels.

4 lens, 1 film body (Maxxum 5), 1 A700 and 4 years later, I am thrilled with the decision I made. I now have my CMOS at 12 Mpix, got my cake and I'm eating it too!

Looking at the market presently, Zeiss and G lens, I am also confident that the Sony system has a very bright future!

[OldClicker]

I've only been at this for about 4 months and started with a used Canon XTi. Very nice camera and with a used 70-200 f/4 IS L for about $750 I had a great combination for long and/or fast action. But for everything else I was coming up short. I NEED IS for every lens when not using a tripod. That just isn't practical or even possible with a Canon. Also, I had no big investment in other equipment or in techniques and skills learned over many years, so Live View made sense to me. So I switched to a Sony A350 and only miss that long, fast lens. (Well I don't actually miss it since I haven't sold it and the body yet.) I love the A350.

1 - Live View - I use it more than half the time. Even when I don't use it to take the shot I often use it to set it up. Half my keepers I wouldn't have if it wasn't for Live View. Not that I couldn't have taken them with the OVF, but I wouldn't have. Same thing in the end.

2 - In-body IS - It's that or a tripod for nearly every shot.

3 - The Minolta lenses - I don't own a Sony lens and I like the nice Minolta alternatives. Also must admit that I am somewhat taken by the traditional and lacquered look of the old lenses. With nicknames like 'beercan', how can you go wrong?

TF

[Canuck935]

I went with Sony because I had a history of Minolta camera's and lenses etc.

I started with a Maxxum QTsi, then moved up to an XTsi, and then finally to the dream machine known as the Maxxum 7. Then my favorite film emulsions started going out of production or getting really expensive, and then Minolta's camera division got sold to Sony.

Oh boy. Do I risk it and go with Sony, whose other products at the time I thought weren't very good and overpriced? Do I ditch all my gear and switch to Canon? Do I give up photography altogether?

I waited for some initial reviews on the a100, and since they seemed very favorable I then purchased it with kit lens the month after release.

I liked my a100, but it was still no Maxxum 7. When the a700 came out, I bought it immediately. Move over Maxxum 7, there's a new dream machine in town!!

I love my a700 more than I loved my Maxxum 7. I never thought I could love anything more than the Maxxum 7. Thank you Sony! I'm so glad I decided to follow the a-mount to Sony. It's a great time to be an a-mount user!

[NoKnees]

For me, similar story as Canuck...

My first SLR was a Minolta, 330si dateback... Upgraded to a 600si a couple years later. I fantasized over the KM 7D and 5D digitals when they came out, but I just wasn't doing enough photography at that time to justify the high cost of an upgrade. I had a few cheaper p&s cameras that filled my need for quick digital shots, while I still did a little film shooting here and there. During this time I slowly had accumulated a few of the old Minolta classic lenses to play with..

Then came Sony and the a100... I was ready for the upgrade, but not 100% sold on how Sony was going to do with the DSLRs... After a few months of watching, waiting, I picked up a used a100 & 17-80 kit and had no regrets.

And then, the a700 was delivered... I had to jump on it for the faster AF, higher burst rate, and better performance above iso 400... Love this thing... No regrets at all...

a900 next? ;) Maybe someday... But no time soon. Nice to know it's out there though, it can only help establish Sony in the market and insure quality lens development by Sony and 3rd parties...

Now I just need to get my lens collecting under control. Waiting on the arrival of a used Minolta 100-400mm APO to try out for a bit... I dream of getting the new Sony 70-400mm G SSM when it arrives, if it truly is all that it's hyped up to be, but.... Big price tag... I'll see if I can get by with the Minolta for 1/4 of the price for a while...

- Greg

[pisco]

Kind of the same (QTsi + couple of lenses).
I did not have a huge investment, so I almost went with Rebel xti but in the end I read PhotoJohn's review here, and got the A100 (Nikon D80 was to expensive).
I still have it, I like the Image Stabiliz, like the Image quality, wireless flash. I also like the $180 beer can (quality for the price), and the sharpness of the CZ16-80.
I'm not sure if I will upgrade to an A700. I'm very happy with the A100, and I'm glad I went with Sony.

[susaan]

I actually did NOT choose my Sony DSC H9,but would recommend it to anyone as a starter camera,for those like me,with no experience at all.

-It makes you want to BE a photographer,not just take snaps.

Now after telling my boss I want a Canon XSi,started looking (dangerous lol) at Sony DSLRs,very impressive,great images,even in low light-not the XSi's strong suit !
and need the live view,stabilization,etc -as getting older,shakes from fatigue and poor eyesight are greatly aided by the Sony range.

Canuck935,your great shooting is pushing me towards Sony....
-thanks also to OldClicker,too-nice icon.....
Anbesol,that Zeiss glass is a powerful argument !

[Anbesol]

Susaan - The XSi does pretty good in low light, not at ultra high ISOs, but it does great up to 1600. It does sound like you may also be a great fit for an A300/A350 as well...

Also, you may already know this but Sony and Olympus are the only 2 brands that offer a live view display that doesn't interfere with the optical viewfinder. Canon and Nikon both have to have the pentaprism up and then they use the primary sensor for image display. Not only does this kill duo-viewfinder options, it also puts more stress on the primary sensor. If the sony secondary live-view sensor goes out, oh well, you're out live view, if the Canon or Nikon sensor goes out, the camera body is entirely kaput.

Old clicker - Sony doesn't even make lenses. The lens they have are actually Minolta engineered, designed and manufactured with the Sony name slapped on them. You may notice that most of the current "Sony" lens line-up had an exact identical twin lens from earlier, only those had "Konica Minolta" slapped on them. Sony doesn't actually manufacture a single lens, its all Zeiss and Minolta. Although, since Minolta is now Sony, I guess you could say, but its still hailing from the Minolta tradition and engineering, just a new manager in the plant.

Well it sounds like we all have similar stories! We belong to an underdog system presently, most people unthinkingly believe that Canon and Nikon are the only options, but we know of another incredible system! The system being underdog is a good thing too, great prices on lens and accessories! I hope the increased popularity in the future of Sony doesn't increase those prices too! ;)

[susaan]

Thanks,Anbesol,
The A300/A350 are two I'm looking at as alternatives to the XSi,and the live view IS
important to me-now if only we had better service in my neck of the woods-
.I'm taking the DSC H9 back for the 3rd time,this week,visible dust on shots,2nd time for this problem,and will start a new thread as soon as the pics are downloaded.

[rongarrett]

I guess I'm a little different from some on this matter. As a pro that sells images, {pretty slim income what with the economy these days, glad I'm retired}, I went to Sony twice for cameras because of their performance.

The first was when I bought a Sony DSC R-1. I bought it because I was blown away with it's image quality. Was it the Zeiss lens? The 10 mp? Dunno, I just know it gives me kickin studio images. I constantly compare it to new offerings, but so far notheing surpasses it. This camera is now 3+ years old?

The second was when I bought the A350. I bought it mainly for the "real" live view function. Flower images are much much easier now for my 64 year old body. I'm long past lying on my stomach for shots. To date no manufacturer equals that live view.

Ya see, if I can't surpass quality, composition, and originality of my shots over the casual picture taker, what have I got to sell? It's a challenge and one that I dearly love. My cameras are a tool. The tool doesn't furnish the image by itself, but the right one sure makes it easier to come up with something that draws a potential customers attention.

I have found that if I set my expectations higher than anyone else, I have few complaints. I will continue to use Sony as long as it lets me accomplish my goals.

Keep up the good work Sony!

[Anbesol]

Well, the R1 is surpassed right now by the higher end DSLRs, at least when paired with a top quality lens. But, its still the best "point and shoot" that has ever been, the only one with an APS sized sensor, incredible short backfocus, color, resolution, etc. It more than any other "point and shoot" blurs the line between DSLR and Point and shoot...

[rongarrett]

For my definite purpose, studio, portrait use, I will stand by my statement that the R-1 is unsurpassed. Equaled? Prolly so. I'm just going by what the images look like. Portrait does not require very high image detail. In fact I often have to remove detail, {wrinkles, moles, blemishes, etc.}. True color reproduction and tonal smoothing are of utmost importance though.

Course all of the above are subjective and definitely just my humble opinion.

Others mileage may vary.

[Anbesol]

ah yes I see what you mean.