Upgrade from a Sony DSLR100

[Broome]

I have had the Sony DSLR 100 for several years and I am extremely happy with it. I have also managed to collect a number of Minolta lenses.

I am considering an upgrade.

Would you recommend the 700? (I do like the tilt LCD live view capacity of the 500 or 550)

Is it worth the extra money - I don't want to sepnd more than $1000? Or do I stay with my trusty 100 and buy new glass?

[DonSchap]

The A100 is a good camera ... a bit dated, but still can turn out a nice shot.

When you speak of moving from it to an a700 or a550, you are proposing a threshold shift in what the camera can provide you with its enhanced capabilities, better noise response from a CMOS sensor, not a CCD.

Would it be a mistake? IMHO, only if you do not plan on growing your photography with a BETTER tool, because these cameras have almost everything you would want.

You mentioned you wanted "Live View." The a700 will not provide that. What the a700 has is functionality almost exactly like the a850/a900 Full Frame DSLRs. It comes with a wireless "Remote Commander", an optical shutter release and playback controller. The a700 also allows for "tethered" remote control, via USB, to your PC.

The a550 is not in the same class as the a700 ... and ramps down several of the more "advanced" functions of the a700. It does have "Live View" and depending on whether you purchase the a550 or the a500, there is a sensor size change and some speed abilities to decide upon.

Going forward, if you want "Live View" ... right now, the a550/a500 is your weapon of choice. If you want a true bargain for its capability ... a700 is a camera that will provide that, for a mere $850.

Tough choice. If it were me, the a700, as I have truly enjoyed that "tethered" feature.

a700 v. 04 w/ TAMRON SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD MACRO
@ f/11 - 1/500 sec - ISO-1600 - Spot Metering - Spot focus - Cloudy - M - Tripod (RC)

It has gotten me closer to the "wild birds" than any other solution I have tried.




Hiding in the trees ... watching.


I would venture to say, there would have been no way to get these particular shots with the a5xx-series of cameras.

If you are interested in seeing more on this subject and its development, click on this link -> Really REMOTE control

[Florida Guy]

Broome,

I would upgrade to the a700. That is what I did when it was time for me to upgrade from my Sony DSLR100.

The a700 is a great camera to shoot with.




Florida Guy

[earlenesmith40]

If you are looking for the best DSLR camera In this price range than my recommendation is Sony Alpha SLTA55VL camera to you. This camera is - Light weight, small and easy to handle. It has Great photo quality, even better video quality than most. Amazing Night View scene mode - take great city skyline photos at night. Built in pop-up flash. And also Very fast, continuous Auto Focus even during video.

[jml79]

The new A580 is the closest modern Sony camera to the A100 in terms of features (it has almost as many plus live view) and it also has the same sensor as the A55, Nikon D7000 and Pentax K-5. Personally this would be my choice or wait until summer/fall and see what the new A77 (A700 replacement) brings to the table. The A700 is almost as old as the A100.

The A55 does not do as well in image tests as the other 3 cameras that use that sensor. Personally it is also to small for me but that is a personal choice.