Should i buy the 400D or the Sony Alpha?

Headcase650 wrote in post #2305444
Id go check out the Pentax K10D as soon as they hit the shelves, No camera for the price compairs.

I second that. I think the Pentax K10D would be my only alternative to Canon. It's a pretty sweet camera.

As others have said, buy the Canon because of the lens options (I use the 400D with one of Canon's best lenses, the 500mm f/4 L).

After owning a Vaio laptop I think that "Sony" is the Japanese word for "crap", and their after-sales support is non-existent.

In all honesty, if it's down to between a 400D and a D80, you really need to go down to a shop and see which one feels better to you.

They're both really good cameras, and I have no problem with Nikon - hell, I learnt on them.

The major differences are the lens ranges and the way the camera handles and operates - I found I like the 400D menu system better, so hence why I bought it.

I agree with this view. Before you make your final dicision, check out Sony's service proceedures. If you choose choose Sony, you will likely need to use it, probably sooner than later. Every Sony product I own is broken in some way. No more of my money will ever go to Sony.
Even if you do not share this view, the lens selection alone should lead you to Canon.

hmmmmmmmmmm.

Is the d80 like the d70? They did not offer a grip for the d70.

That was one of the things that turned me away from Nikon when I was looking.

At the time it was D70 and XT. Once I decided on Canon, I got a 20D.

At the time.........Canon had more to offer for the XT then Nikon for the D70.

I would think it's still about the same for XTi vs. D80.

Nikon still uses screw drive lenses. So, if you buy the D80 and one of their Screw drive lenses..........the D80 might not be able to focus as fast.

I think Nikons version of USM is AP-S.

blueM wrote in post #2311127
I agree with this view. Before you make your final dicision, check out Sony's service proceedures. If you choose choose Sony, you will likely need to use it, probably sooner than later. Every Sony product I own is broken in some way. No more of my money will ever go to Sony.
Even if you do not share this view, the lens selection alone should lead you to Canon.

Sony are trading on their name and past reputation. They are a Japanese company but almost everything they sell is made in China or Korea. I have computers, DVD players, VCR recorders, camcorders, etc. and all of them have one thing in common - an expensive brand name, poor quality and non-existent after sale service. Leave well alone is my opinion.

Colin

Bear in mind that Sony's very un-proactive when it comes to design flaws. Canon's on their second revision of a service notice on PowerShots having a problem with their Sony-manufactured LCDs, and Sony's only just admitted that there's a problem and announced they'll fix their CyberShots with that problem. Also - those laptop batteries that burst into flame? Sony. Even if they were in Dell laptops.

The Sony has very high noise levels at higher ISO setting compared to the 400D.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …s/canoneos400d/​page27.asp

I tried out the Alpha at the Sony store a few weeks ago, just to see what it was like. I wasn't impressed at all.

Mark

I haven't read all the posts above, so maybe I'm repeating what someone else has already said, but this might be interesting:

http://forums.dpreview​.com …orum=1000&threa​d=21002374

rabidcow wrote in post #2298626
YIKES! And people say that canon is expensive! HA!

because it's a very rare item i bet they made only 10 of them

Take a look at my sig. FTb from 1971. Still works and always has, never a problem. A1 from 1983. Still works and always has, never a problem. There were others as well that I did not keep that never broke. That's why I stayed with Canon, and probably always will. Never been let down. Don't know about Sony cameras but as far as stereo equipment I switched to Yamaha because Sony stuff never lasted. I wouldn't take the chance.........

You pretty much answered your own question, go with the XTi
Canon has a camera for everybody There's surely one to suite your needs.

The reviews I have read on the sony Alpha seem to make consistent criticism of the AF system, the metering and noise levels.

the other thing is that the range of quality lenses is both limited AND very costly, although obviously you can use Minolta AF lenses on the Sony.

So my advice would be to not go for the Sony DSLR , the 400D is by far the better of the two. And it plugs you into a wonderful accessory/ lens system, and allows you to be friends with people like us.

Ater buy many items with the sony name (2 laptops 2 stereos ect) and all of them broke just after the warranty expired I will NEVER buy anything with the name SONY on the front of it. They such big time!!!!