Canon t4i or the Sony A57

[kbritton]

Which one would you go with. The low light capabilities intrest me on both of these. Which one will produce the best picture
Thanks on

 

[zackiedawg]

The one that will produce the best picture is the one in the hands of the best photographer! Neither is 'better' than the other - they're both very good cameras with great capabilities. Each may have some features that you may find better for what you need, or designs/feels that fit you better. The Canon uses an optical viewfinder and the Sony uses an electronic viewfinder - you may prefer one over the other. The Sony live view will be significantly faster to focus and shoot, which is only important if you intend to shoot off the LCD screen more often than the viewfinder. The Sony will focus faster while shooting video. The Canon has a larger overall lens selection available to it. The Canon puts image stabilization into some of their lenses, so you buy the lens that has it - the Sony puts image stabilization into the camera body, so it will apply to all lenses.

The best one is honestly the one that has the most features YOU want or need, the least compromises you can't live without, and fits you best in how it feels in your hand. Don't worry about picking the wrong one and ending up with a bad camera - you won't. And you can even consider other cameras similarly as good as these two, from Nikon and Pentax. It's a buyer's market!

 

[Hockeyman]

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-Rebel-T4i-vs-Sony-SLT-A57

Here is the head to head comparison if you want to compare both by specs. Also if you can, go into a camera shop or an electronic store that has both of them so you can try them out there and see how they shoot. Bring your own memory card and take some test shots just for the heck of it.

 

[zackiedawg]

Also just a quick note: when looking at the comparisons, or reviews online, be careful to ALWAYS read the full review, and all the points, look at the actual stats, etc. I only say this because some of the quick summary bullet points on pages like that site above can be misleading. For example, they list 'reasons to buy' for each camera, which might cause one to think that if a reason is listed, it must be something better than the other camera...but it's not. With the A57, they list the color depth and dynamic range as reasons to buy, but they hadn't tested the T4's color depth or dynamic range so there's no way to know if it's better or worse. For the T4, they list in-camera HDR, phase-detection video autofocus, and continuous movie focus as reasons to buy, but the A57 also shares all of those same features. (Even though I shoot with one of those brands, I honestly feel they're all very close in performance and overall image quality, so it tends to be features and feel that help find the best camera.

It's important to always read through a lot of reviews, comparisons, tech data, look at samples, get user opinions...but in the end, it's still going to be down to what you decide is best for you.

 

[kbritton]

I do agree but I m liking what I'm reading about the Sony a 57 wich is making me lean that way. My goal is to get some sweet clear haunted mansion pictures

 

[Hockeyman]

^^ Yeah the reasons to buy are not always inline with what the camera actually can do. I noticed that a while back when comparing my A55 to another camera and noticed it recommended the other camera and showed that camera had the features mine had also but didn't list them on those reasons.

 

[zackiedawg]

I do agree but I m liking what I'm reading about the Sony a 57 wich is making me lean that way. My goal is to get some sweet clear haunted mansion pictures

Sounds good then. If you like the features, like what the camera has, like the design or feel, the IQ or samples look good, and the price is right, then you're on your way. I would recommend handling the camera in person if at all possible, just to make sure it's comfortable in your hands, and that you like the EVF. If yes, no reason not to get it...it's a very capable camera with some great features and abilities.

The things that would go in the '+' column for the A57 as far as worthy features to mention (again, not meaning that OTHER cameras might not also have some of these features) are: electronic viewfinder provides exposure simulation, shoots at 12 frames per second, has full time phase-detect autofocus in live view and video, has a battery life meter with full percentage readouts, has a tiltable LCD screen, has in-camera 3-frame stacking HDR mode, has the excellent Apical DRO system, has the excellent multi-frame noise reduction ISO mode that stacks 6 frames together into one when shooting at high ISO to reduce noise and increase detail at ridiculous ISO levels, has digital levels/inclinometer display, live shooting histogram, built-in stabilization in the body, and 1080p video at up to 60fps frame rate.

If you like that combination of features, it's definitely a good camera to put on your close-inspection list.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Just a little warning to all those thinking of purchasing the Canon T4i. There is a recall on the camera that has nothing to with the image quality of the camera but in the grip. The grips can turn white and they become an allergen. This has NOTHING to do with the quality of the Canon T4i. From what I can glean, the subcontractor, who made some of the rubber grip material, made a mistake in the rubber formula. When you purchase your camera make sure it is one that is not affected . Just when you want to play with your new camera, you have to send it back. That's no fun! Here is the announcment from dpreview.com.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/08/14/Canon-extends-allergy-recall-on-EOS-Rebel-T4i-650D

 

[ukstitch]

I'd definitely recommend trying to have a look at both cameras in person if at all possible.

The Sony SLT cameras (A57,65,77 etc) have a lot of things in common with other SLR cameras like the canon, but they also have a number of unique features (electronic view finder, very high number of pictures per second etc) that you won't find in a camera of similar size/price/quality (apart from maybe the sony NEX cameras).

They're not to everybody's taste, but I have one and personally I love it and wouldn't go back to a traditional SLR.

One other thing to keep in mind is that you may well need an additional lens if you're wanting good clear photos inside haunted mansion and other dark rides - the lens supplied with the camera often results in blurry, dark or "noisy" pictures on dark rides. A 35/50mm f1.8 lens would help to avoid disappointment although obviously there's the question of cost vs usage to consider.

 

[kbritton]

I followed your advice, and i really value everyones opinion. I have been all over the web doing research. I stopped by best buy with a sd card and tried the canon t4i the Sony a57, and the A65. I have to say Im reallllllyyyy liking the Sony a65s pictures. I pulled them into my computer and they look great. The camera is crazy fast. It seems like a fun camera.

Should I get the bundle with the kit lens. Keep in mind walking around the parks with a good zoom, and then there is the indoor stuff, shows,haunted mansion etc.

Thanks

 

[Hockeyman]

I have the Sony A55 and mine came with both the kit and the zoom and the first thing I did was picked up both the Sony 35mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.8 not too long after. I have since replaced the kit with a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR (which I love ) and sold my 50mm which I found was a lens I was using less and less. Lately at the parks I have found that I ended up using my Tamron 95% of the time an then the rest of the time is the fisheye and the 35mm has been sort of been the odd man out for me lol. If I were you I would start with the kit lens and then a faster either 50mm or 35mm f/1.8 so you can get some dark ride shots. Also you could always rent a lens and that way you can test them out before you commit financially to one.

 

[mom2rtk]

I concur with the above poster about picking up a faster lens. If your goal is to get photos on Haunted Mansion, you will definitely need something faster than the kit lens.

Have fun with the new camera!

 

[HPS3]

I agree with Mike. Pick up the Sony 35 f1.8. I use one Olathe Nex 7 and it's a fantastic lens for ~$200. I bought mine used on Fredmiranda.com for $150 shipped.

 

[zackiedawg]

Seconded, thirded, whatever! I agree - get the kit as a good starter point, and pick up a fast lens like the 35mm F1.8 as your low light, dark ride, and all around fast lens. Then you can start considering what other focal lengths or ranges you think you'll want or need. Always remember too that you can look for any Alpha, A-mount, Maxxum, or Minolta AF lens - it's all one mount, and all the lenses will work normally on the Sony bodies - autofocus, stabilized, etc. Some folks think they need to buy a 'Sony' lens, but there are lenses for the Sony mount made by Sigma and Tamron and occasional others, and a nice backlog of reasonably-priced and good performing Minolta lenses ranging from $50 used to several thousand depending on the lens.

 

[klmall]

Just a little warning to all those thinking of purchasing the Canon T4i. There is a recall on the camera that has nothing to with the image quality of the camera but in the grip. The grips can turn white and they become an allergen. This has NOTHING to do with the quality of the Canon T4i. From what I can glean, the subcontractor, who made some of the rubber grip material, made a mistake in the rubber formula. When you purchase your camera make sure it is one that is not affected . Just when you want to play with your new camera, you have to send it back. That's no fun! Here is the announcment from dpreview.com.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/08/14/Canon-extends-allergy-recall-on-EOS-Rebel-T4i-650D

Thanks for the info! I am seriously considering this camera as my next dSLR when I have the money and will keep this in mind as well as all the other advice given.

Personally, I just can't give up on Canon! My good 'ole XSi has been an amazing camera from day 1 through it's fall on Mount Rainier and the hard floor at The Wave in the Contemporary three years later (I am really rough on cameras and lenses and do buy insurance....)

 

[ukstitch]

Always remember too that you can look for any Alpha, A-mount, Maxxum, or Minolta AF lens - it's all one mount, and all the lenses will work normally on the Sony bodies - autofocus, stabilized, etc. Some folks think they need to buy a 'Sony' lens, but there are lenses for the Sony mount made by Sigma and Tamron and occasional others, and a nice backlog of reasonably-priced and good performing Minolta lenses ranging from $50 used to several thousand depending on the lens.

One small thing to keep in mind when looking at used lenses for the Sony SLT cameras is that many of the older sigma lenses have known problems when used on SLT cameras. They can be fixed and it's not every lens, but I'd always recommend testing a used sigma on your camera before buying it to be certain if you don't want the hassle of getting it fixed later.

Other than that, I'd genuinely recommend some of the non-sony lenses. I think of all the lenses I own, maybe 1 is a sony - most of my lenses are tamron and minolta

 

[photo_chick]

One small thing to keep in mind when looking at used lenses for the Sony SLT cameras is that many of the older sigma lenses have known problems when used on SLT cameras. They can be fixed and it's not every lens, but I'd always recommend testing a used sigma on your camera before buying it to be certain if you don't want the hassle of getting it fixed later.

Other than that, I'd genuinely recommend some of the non-sony lenses. I think of all the lenses I own, maybe 1 is a sony - most of my lenses are tamron and minolta

Canon DSLR's also have problems with older Sigma lenses. And by older I mean 35mm era lenses. I've got one and you can't even set the aperture with a DSLR.