The Sony ? (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is an instant classic: the top-quality 10 MP DSLR system camera that builds on a two-decade legacy of Minolta photographic leadership, accepts 20 years of A-mount lenses sold worldwide – and introduces Sony imaging innovations like high-sensitivity shooting with Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, Dynamic Range Optimizer to automatically increase detail in bright and dark picture areas, new Anti-Dust technology to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, and Eye-Start Autofocus system for faster camera response.
Product Specification :
Megapixels :10.2 Megapixels
Lens System :Body only
LCD Screen Size :2.5 in
Recording Method :CompactFlash, Microdrive
Camera Type :SLR
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June 19th, 2009 at 5:40 am
After weeks of research and going thru comparisons I decided on the Sony dslr A100.
I find that the sony is easier to navigate through. The settings are not confusing as with the canons and I like the view finder. It is very easy to look thru and it also adjusts itself to my eyes.
I like the fact that the colors of my photos are very bright and vivid..in comparison with the Canon 30D which tends to be a little bland.
The cost was also a big factor in my decision and you get alot of camera for your money when you buy the Sony.
The battery life is great and I can go for days without having to recharge.
You won't be disappointed in this camera!
Pro : Ease of use
Con : Haven't found any
June 19th, 2009 at 6:18 am
I chose this camera over NIkons and Canons simply because it seems to have more going for it, long term. N&C's are great cameras but the Alpha's supersteadyshot is a gift and improves so many opportunistic images. It was only after doing a test on this myself that I was convinced and it does make a difference and NIKONS DO NOT DO THIS yet.
Secondly, Carl Zeiss lenses put the optics on a par with some of the best cameras in the world (hard to quantify this but I believe!). They don't come as standard but they are (or will be) very reasonably priced.
Thirdly, the reviews of the camera were all very positive with going OTT or damning with faint praise. There was a lot of brand snobbery and perhaps that is part of the photographic process; "I have a good camera ergo I can take good pictures", but it makes their opinions a bit suspect. Reviews are also highly partisan (like this one? Judge for yourself.) and one reviewer who couldn't find anything wrong with a new Nikon seemed not to have heard about image stabilisation.
After assessing and reassessing the Alpha, I decided Sony were serious about bringing out a range of serious pro-sumer cameras and their technical expertise and Zeiss lenses made the camera a force to be reckoned with so I bought one.
One making my purchase, lo, I found a load of quality Minolta AF fit lenses were available and bought three for under ?320 and was well pleased!
Since then, the street price has come down by about ?200 in some cases, and I've taken 14000 shots including some absolute doozies (see versevend on Flickr). And I wouldn't want to change to a different camera either – I really like it and feel it will grow to meet my needs in the next couple of years – a new 12 Mpxl model is rumoured. All in all, I'm well pleased.
What are the worst points? No remote shooting facilities yet and some noise at high ISOs (firmware upgrade may fix). Body looks plasticy but is actually very robust.
At the end of the day, the differences between most cameras with similar features is minimal and all will produce great images if the photographer and subject are up to the task too!
Pro : Supersteadyshot, TREMENDOUS Carl Zeiss Lenses
Con : Immature firmware causing some noise at high ISO and short on "nice to have" features
June 19th, 2009 at 6:30 am
I learned to shoot on a Minolta SLR 35mm and when they came out with their digital 5d and 7d I knew it was the camera I wanted. Last year they announced that they were leaving the camera business and all technology was going over to Sony I was crushed until I saw the A100. Same "in body" image stabilizer and an amazing 10.2 mega-pixels for under a grand. I am also able to use my old Minolta SLR lenses (although there are some exceptions but only a few).
The camera is very simple to use for those who know what they are doing and for those who don't know it all (like me) but know the basics, it is easy to play with and figure things out. I have a lot of fun playing with this camera and with an f1.4 50mm lens I can shoot in really low light without a flash and the picture comes out very nice (as long as subject is not moving around too much). The one thing I don't really care for is the flash. It makes everything kind of washed out looking but That can also get taken care of on the back end if needed. Gotta love digital.
Pro : Ease of use / Minolta compatible.
Con : Not a ton of lenses but more coming.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:40 am
I could have spent the money for the Nikon and Canon…
I did tons of research before buying the Sony Alpha.
The clincher in my case was that I had a full compliment of Minota AF lenses from my 35mm
Maxuum and they were now interchangable with my Alpha!
Even without the lenses, theres something special about this camera.
I've been a photographer for over 40 years and I've never been able to capture the quality of images that I have with this camera!
It's one of the best purchases I've ever made!
Would I have been happy with the Nikon or Canon…Probably
I like being a little different from the pack…so I'm sticking with this Sony Alpha!
Pro : Steadyshot,, and I can still use my Minolta AF lenses!
Con : ISO Noise is noticable on occasion
June 19th, 2009 at 7:18 am
This is the perfect camera for anyone just getting into SLR photography. Great features (some you don't see in any other camera) and simple to use (if you leave it on auto mode). Before buying this camera I read everything about every camera that I could get my hands on and for a starter like myself, it seems to be the logical choice. What I really like however is that the camera auto focuses when the camera is placed close to the eye.. nice touch!
My only con is the standard Sony lenses that come in the kits, granted the are nice lenses and they are doing well for me (my advice is up the sharpness level for a more clear picture as the auto they come out looking to soft) it's just the darn purple lines (fringing) on white backgrounds.
In all, buy it. You won't regret it. I don't, I love it to death! Now I just need to find some good Minolta lenses and I'll be happy! (btw, which is another great feature about this camera!) 5 3/4 Stars!
Pro : Great features and east to use
Con : Sony lenses (if you bought the package)
June 19th, 2009 at 7:24 am
This camera rocks, feature heavy and strong feeling in my hands. As a low light shooter the super steady shot really helps me out. Kit lens is also very high quality! The damn shutter is very loud though and can cause problems when your trying to be incognito but otherwise feels very good. An all around great camera!
Pro : High quality, built in super steady shot, Fine Sony Tech
Con : Noisy shutter, noise at high ISO
June 19th, 2009 at 8:14 am
This is my first DSLR after using several film SLR's and the K/M A200 digital.
I find the feel of the camera is somewhat less strong than my Nikon and Canon SLR's but adequate for my needs. The cold weather operation lag has to do with the menu and LCD at below freezing temps, an unpleasant surprise. The high ISO noise was expected but managed with post processing.
The big pluses for me is the package body and lenses price point and the bright viewer I required. The SSS, Super Steady Shot, is a big help when a tripod is not practical.
Probably the best DSLR deal under $1,000 USD.
Pro : Kit price, SSS, Ext Flash compatibilty, Bright view, K/M experience
Con : Cold temp operation lag, High ISO noise
June 19th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Love this body since all of the electronics are in the body and older Minolta af lenses work well. Much more intiutive controls than the Canons and Nikons. Someone I think Olympus is boosting about a veiwing LCD but I can't see the benifit with an SLR at all, imagine holding an SLR away from you and peering into and LCD screen and keeping your camera steady, pure BS. Had my alpha 100 for about a year and love it ofcourse I am biased since I have been a Minolta man for more that 35 years. By the way a Tamron 28 -200 lens is a great ever day lens for the alpha.
Pro : All the electronics are in the body CMOS etc so you can use ole AF Minolta lenses.
Con : High ISO noise and slow low temp performance.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:39 am
This is really is a lovely piece of technology! I used a Minolta Maxxum for 15 years and was crushed when it finally suffered a malfunction, rather then repair I decided to go digital, I finally found this model after a long hunt for the Minolta 5D and once I finally had this camera I could not be happier. It really is a high end device, I am scared to think what more complicated cameras might have considering that this model is on the lower end of the price scale for digital SLR cameras and it still has a tremendous array of features, with an Ultra III Extreme CF card it has awesome response time, smooth operation, it focuses lighting fast and is ready for the next shot the millisecond my finger lets off the shutter button.
It gives you options on quality settings but I find them to be limited (RAW, Fine, Standard) on other digital models you can set the exact resolution you want and I wish that was a feature available here but alas it is not, even still the 3 settings take you from the highest quality shots at 10 meg file sizes to basic quality shots at 2.5 megs each, even the basic quality sinks any point and shoot camera on the market.
changing modes from auto to shutter, aperture, scene, portrait ect.. is as easy as breathing, however adjusting ISO settings and video and the like have proven a little less then intuitive in figuring out. when setting the camera to manual I found it cumbersome in adjusting the aperture and shutter as there is only a single dial for both so you have to keep taking the camera away from your eye and pressing a button to toggle the controls, the Maxxum has two dials that you could easily adjust while looking through the viewfinder.
despite these setbacks I am very pleased with my purchase, all of my old equipment works flawlessly with it and as a plus it is quite light, my wife who has never held an SLR before remarked at once that she was expecting a much heavier unit given it's size.
in closing: a wonderful device that I hope will last me another 15 years, interested to see what I upgrade to next
Pro : High Quality, easy to use
Con : controls are a little clumsy & take getting used to.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:50 am
The A100 is a very nice camera. When I bought it in 06 nothing in its class could touch it. I still would buy it over anything else. The body is much nicer than the Canon Rebel.
The camera is the sharpest in its class according to published statistics. Lower ISO photos are stunning. The trade off for this sharpness is more high ISO noise but until you get to 1600 the images are quite good and you can PP away most noise. I love the detail the camera gives. I also really like the colors of Sony/Minolta glass. The Carl Zeiss 16-80 is a real gem and some of the used Minolta glass is nice.
Having built in IS is a huge advantage over Canon and Nikon for those who handhold. Lens based IS may be a bit nicer but it costs hundreds per lens and precludes getting the benifits of stabilization on older lenses. Being able to autofocus on old lenses is a big advantage on the Nikon D40 which forces you to buy new lenses to use AF.
The anti-dust system works well too and Sony support is great. I broke mine through my own stupidity and they still fixed it for free. Better yet I had it back in four days!
I also like the interface. The menus are well laid out and the controls quite good. The grip is the best of any entry level camera. Fits perfectly in your hand.
Pro : Built in image stabilization, best in class sharpness (according to various sites), great color, easy to use, fast AF, price, built in anti-dust, nice body , great grip
Con : Noise at ISO 1600, not as many lens options as some bodies