Sony Alpha a230

[ali780]

Hello everybody,

First of all I should say that I am NOT a professional photographer and I want to use the camera for home use and travels.

I want to buy a SLR Digital camera.
At the moment a Sony Alpha a230 is available in some shops in the Sweden for 3000 SEK (regular price is 4000 SEK).
I had decided to buy a canon eos 1000d (4500 SEK).
Now, because of this offer I want to know that how much is the difference between the quality of photos taken by canon eos 1000d and sony a230?
Is the difference worth for 1500 SEK (about 100 Euro)?
I have found some sample pictures in dome websites, but it seem, these photos taken by professional photographer and the quality in both case is good, but I want to know the opinion of some people about the difference.

Thank you for help

[Peekayoh]

Hello there, and welcome to this Alpha forum.

The CCD Sensor of the A230 has better IQ (Image Quality) than the Canon; more colour depth and better dynamic range. The Canon performs a bit better in terms of noise at ISOs higher than about 600.

Having said that, any modern DSLR is capable of excellent results in prints up to A3 in size; what really counts is the vision of the person behind the camera and the skill of that person in getting the best out of the camera.

I'm guessing that this will be your first DSLR in which case you should be aware that, in terms of IQ, the lens you buy is as important as the camera.

[ali780]

Thanks for the reply,
The camera is available with the kit lense. You can find the ads below:

http://www.elgiganten.se/product/fot...-55mm-objektiv

About IQ, you mean there is not a big difference between the quality of a230 and 1000d.

[Peekayoh]

No, there is not a big difference in real terms but it is measureable.
The CCD sensor is generally recognised as being superior to the CMOS sensor which is, I suppose, why it is the sensor of choice in MF cameras and digital backs.

Yes I was concerned that you might be getting the rather poor 18-70mm kit lens, however, that link indicates that the much better 18-55mm SAM lens is on offer. Naturally the kit lens is built down to a price and you will eventually find yourself wanting a better (and more expensive) lens.

[ali780]

So you mean the included lens in the link that I sent you is good enough?
As the last question, I am curious to know about the live view. The lack of the live view is a big problem? I have no experiences about it.

[Peekayoh]

The included lens is good value for money. You ask "good enough"? but good enough for what? I think it's good enough for a Kit lens.

You'll find some pictures taken with the 18-55mm posted here but none are taken with an A230.

If you go here you will see the improvement of the new 18-55mm over the old kit lens.

As for live view, someone else needs to tackle that question, I've never had LV, so I neither use it or miss it. But then, I'm regarded as a bit of a Dinosaur around here, apart from the A700 and one Sony lens, all my equipment is pretty old.

[sparkie1263]

Great links Pete. I must have a good kit lens. My images don't look that bad. I do have a problem when I shoot at 18mm with buildings falling over.

Frank

[ali780]

but good enough for what?

Good enough for home use and taking pictures in the travel, taking some portrait from my kids and so on.
As I mentioned I am not a professional photographer.

[Peekayoh]

Great links Pete. I must have a good kit lens. My images don't look that bad. I do have a problem when I shoot at 18mm with buildings falling over.

Frank

Frank, I'm tempted to say that you just have a problem with falling over, but I won't.
Wide angles are always going to give you a problem with perspective, that's why Don got a Tilt'n shift.

Good enough for home use and taking pictures in the travel, taking some portrait from my kids and so on.
As I mentioned I am not a professional photographer.

Certainly it'll be Ok. Frank gets good results with the older version of the kit lens. I was just really saying that I can't say what's good enough for you because I don't know what your values are. In any case, values change, what was good enough for me 20 years ago no longer gives me the same satisfaction.

[S3000]

The included lens is good value for money. You ask "good enough"? but good enough for what? I think it's good enough for a Kit lens.

You'll find some pictures taken with the 18-55mm posted here but none are taken with an A230.

If you go here you will see the improvement of the new 18-55mm over the old kit lens.

As for live view, someone else needs to tackle that question, I've never had LV, so I neither use it or miss it. But then, I'm regarded as a bit of a Dinosaur around here, apart from the A700 and one Sony lens, all my equipment is pretty old.

I have seen these fotos before with other lenses so I dont know if I can trust those images and the shots I get with my "old" kit lens dont look that bad. Looks to me like a focus problem.

As for the live view, I never use it but it should come in handy if you want to take a "low shot" and dont want to get dirty getting down on your knees.