DSLR Shootout- Entry Level Features Comparison

March 2010, Barry Fitzgerald

Entry Level DSLR: Features Shoot Out and Comparison

For buyers in the market for a new DSLR that don't have a wad of cash to spend, we wanted to do a side by side analysis of these popular DSLRS currently on the market. This should be viewed as a quick reference guide based only on specifications and how they compete/compare with one another by those standards. As such we hope this article can also give you a snap shot look at what other makers are doing in comparison to Sony Alpha models.

Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review

December 2009, Carl Garrard (*Update 1-18-2010 Price Increase), (*Update 12-20-2009 Price Drop)

Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review- The Sony Alpha DSLR A500 is Sony's latest released DSLR this year, along with the Alpha A550. The Alpha A500 and A550 are so close in specifications (a common strategy with Sony DSLRS within the DSLR lineup) that there won't be too much new information to report here in terms of 'paper performance' when compared to the A550 review I prepared, yet I will report on various areas of difference in details that I think are truly worth reading and hit areas that I didn't cover for the A550 review. Together both reviews should give the reader a combined and informative article in total between both cameras, and clarify some key differences that you would experience had you bought both cameras and compared them yourself.

Sony Alpha DSLR A550 Review

November 2009, Carl Garrard

(Updated 1-18-2010 Price Increase), (*Updated 12-20-2009 Price Drop)

(*Updated 11-21-2009 User Interface and Conclusion)

Houston, our Alpha A550 Review has landed. Speed back a few months ago and I was still suffering from an entry level Alpha hangover. I have to admit here that I was still a tad disappointed with those cameras going into the A550 review, and brought some of that disdain with me. After spending just two days with the new Sony Alpha A550 DSLR however, pretty much most of that negativity went away and a fresh green view on this new camera began to emerge. My time spent with Sony and the A550 was brief initially, and left me with a lot of curiosity and questions as well as a pretty good first impression overall. The Sony Alpha A550 charmed away much of my lack luster feelings and thoughts about the new entry level lineup, yet it was vital for me to spend some real time with the A550 alone, to give it a real thorough evaluation. Read on if you please for futher thoughts on this new DSLR from Sony. *Price $950 body only, $1050 with the 18-55mm Kit lens.

A700 Owners- Relief May Be in Sight!

The known issue with skipping menu items and settings as a result of using the control wheel(s) has now become commonplace with A700 owners. There are several ways to tackle this issue so that the control wheels operate back to normal. The A700 will eventually gather dust or foreign particles into the control wheel housing causing some skipping to eventually take place.

Here is a new commerical endorsed by Nigel Barker, Peyton Manning, and Justin Timberlake that is linked on NigelBarker.tv. Not a bad start for Alpha products aired on national television! If you haven't seen the video yet, I think it's worth a look. What do you think?

Sony Alpha DSLR A850 Review - Just Think Alpha A900 "Lite"

September 2009, Carl Garrard (Update 9-27 See Additional Commentary, Page 6)

Review - Just about a year ago today Sony announced the Alpha A900 DSLR, and nearly a year later its near twin cousin the Alpha A850 hits sales floors at 1/3rd less cost than the Alpha A900. The Alpha A850 is the worlds first full frame digital SLR to break the stubborn 2K sales price at release. There is no question about it, the Alpha A850 represents value. It is also the worlds highest resolution DSLR, sharing the 24.6 megapixel title only with the Alpha A900. If the Alpha A900 turned heads, then certainly the Alpha A850 must as well, yet this time it might make you pull out your wallet. This is a professionals tool, don't let the price fool you. Similar build, performance, and feature set are usually found at a much higher cost.