SONY offers full introductory-DSLR cameras

[DonSchap]

SONY has stepped up to the line and offered three new intro-level DSLRs (α200, α300, α350), which all will be available by Mid-April.



With this shift in this cost-effective availability ... are you seriously considering dumping your other DSLR or P&S, for a swing to these cameras ... with in-the-body "anti-shake", decent ISO-1600 noise response and complete compatibility with Minolta's AF lenses? In most cases, it definitely would be an improvement worth a little consideration.

[Paradox]

I seriously considered the Sony options - But for now I'm sticking with Canon. It just has more features that I'll find useful for my styles of photography.

[DonSchap]

Although it's not an intro-level DSLR ... my inclination is to purchase an α900 when they become available. Just the realized improvement using WIDE-ANGLE, PRIME, TILT-SHIFT and MACRO lenses with Full-frame anti-shake has got to be worth quite a bit with professional-level images, topping out at 24.8 MP. Let's face it, when you need detail galore ... I say, "Use more" ... pixels, that is.

At the very least, it would appear to be an exciting option which would be very expensive, if not just plain impossible, with another manufacturer's line.

One mitigating fact, as with everything ... is just how much '$cratch' are we going to have to pony up for this powerful tool?

[SONYNUT]

any price come out yet for the 900

[DonSchap]

Even the SONY Engineer, at the trade-show, would not speculate on it. He did say it would be "competatively-priced."

What? With the Canon EOS 5D ($2000), Nikon D3 ($~5000) or the Canon EOS 1Ds MKIII ($8,000)? That's a big ol' gulf to swim around in, there. You could have at least six α700's doing work for you, at that price.

If it comes in at $3500 ... now, we're probably talkin' doable. But, higher than that ... it just becomes fantasy for most.

[raynman68]

Since I am planning on buying a new camera in April, I will have to check out the α350. When I checked out some cameras earlier this month I came away very impressed with the α700.

I would love to consider the α900 but I suspect it will fall way outside my budget.