Pentax K100D or Sony DSLR-A100

[steery1]

I was hoping some of you guys out there with more experience than me would have opinions on these two cameras I'm considering buying at the moment.

I've previously had a couple of film SLRs, (a Sigma and a Canon Rebel) but when DS was born I found I didn't have enough time as I'd like to spend on my hobby. So when I decided to go digital I copped out and bought a Sony DSC-P100 p+s because it was so small and fitted my lifestyle at the time.

Recently, now that DS is a bit older and I find some extra time on my hands I decided to get a Sony DSC-H2. I feel Im just a little limited with this camera (no disrespect) and am seriously thinking of returning it for one of the above, (I like the in-body IS on these two)

I'll mainly be using it for my own pleasure, nothing serious. I'll be shooting anything from close ups to sports, just anything really, a nice hobby.

Any thoughts or advice will be gratefully accepted. TIA

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm going to stay out of this one.

 

[steery1]

I'm going to stay out of this one.

Did I say something I shouldn't have?

 

[photo_chick]

I'm going to stay out of this one.

Tell us how you really feel!

Seriously, if you already have a Rebel, why not look at the EOS DSLR's. Then you already have some lenses.
Which mount does the Sigma use? Lens mounts (beyond Canon) are a place where I am fairly uninformed.

 

[Anewman]

Did I say something I shouldn't have?

No nothing...


Now watch this.


IMO the Sony is better suited for sports, just because of the bigger buffer and lens selection. But you did not mention which sports.

 

[steery1]

Tell us how you really feel!

Seriously, if you already have a Rebel, why not look at the EOS DSLR's. Then you already have some lenses.

Its a clean slate. I dont have the Rebel anymore and I think I prefer the in-body IS on the Sony and Pentax.
I know theres a few Dis members who rate the Pentax.

 

[steery1]

IMO the Sony is better suited for sports, just because of the bigger buffer and lens selection. But you did not mention which sports.

Mainly soccer, possibly motor and bike racing

 

[Anewman]

Mainly soccer, possibly motor and bike racing

For Sports IS is pretty much useless, it only helps stop motion blur caused by camera shake not subject movement.

Without saying that the Pentax would be useless for those sports... IMO a 4 shot burst(max) pales in comparison with unlimited burst that the Sony would give you. And from friends that have the Sony it is said to focus very fast(dependant on lens), while I have heard not so great focus speed issues with Pentax cameras(again lens dependant).

Also IMO the lens selection with Sony/Minolta lenses is better suited for outdoor sports when compared to the PENTAX library.

 

[steery1]

Also IMO the lens selection with Sony/Minolta lenses is better suited for outdoor sports when compared to the PENTAX library

Thanks Anewman.
I do mention sports but really what I need is a good all round performance.
I was kinda leaning towards the Sony even though it is more expensive. So theres more lenses for the Sony.

 

[photo_chick]

Its a clean slate. I dont have the Rebel anymore and I think I prefer the in-body IS on the Sony and Pentax.
I know theres a few Dis members who rate the Pentax.

gotcha. I will not go into my whole Sony is evil speech here because, well that is not really relevant to the perfomance of their cameras. I do feel as a whole the company's qualtiy control has been seriously lacking the past few years. I had a DSC-H1 briefly and I did not like it at all. I passed it on to my sister when I go tmy Rebel XT.

 

[steery1]

gotcha. I will not go into my whole Sony is evil speech here because, well that is not really relevant to the perfomance of their cameras. I do feel as a whole the company's qualtiy control has been seriously lacking the past few years. I had a DSC-H1 briefly and I did not like it at all. I passed it on to my sister when I go tmy Rebel XT.

Oops I didn't know Sony was evil
One of the reasons I was considering the Sony (apart from the in-body IS was because I've now had two of their p+s models (and a camcorder) and found them pretty good. No complaints at all.

The reason I was considering the Pentax was the price and the good reports it gets here and elsewhere.

 

[photo_chick]

Oops I didn't know Sony was evil
One of the reasons I was considering the Sony (apart from the in-body IS was because I've now had two of their p+s models (and a camcorder) and found them pretty good. No complaints at all.

The reason I was considering the Pentax was the price and the good reports it gets here and elsewhere.

I had the opposite response to Sony cameras! To each his own!

 

[ukcatfan]

If you are looking at the more expensive Sony, then you should also be considering the Pentax K10D instead of the K100D. I think the K100D is more for the money, but if you want to shoot much sports or action in general, then the K10D of A100 are your better choices due to the buffer.

As for the lens lineup, that can be very subjective, so it would be better to know how much you plan to invest in lenses and what kinds you want. There are some very nice Pentax primes that could be great for sports depending on the situation and how much you want to spend.

I am not too familiar with the Sony lenses currently available, but I know that there are millions of used Pentax and Minolta lenses around. I also must say that I am a little sceptical of Sony's track record of dropping product lines when they do not perform well enough. I am not sure that Pentax is really in a better market position or anything, but they at least do not have that company track record to consider. Does anyone remember Beta, DAT, MiniDisc, etc. I know that some are still used in professional situations, but they abandoned their consumer customers.

Kevin

 

[Anewman]

Thanks Anewman.
I do mention sports but really what I need is a good all round performance.
I was kinda leaning towards the Sony even though it is more expensive. So theres more lenses for the Sony.

No I am not claiming that there are more Sony(Minolta) lenses, just that their selection is better suited for "outdoor" sports IMO.

Pentax users like to point out the fact that Pentax DSLRs can use(with adapters???) any and all Pentax lenses ever made including older manual focus lenses. I am just giving my opinion that those would not be IDEAL for fast moving outdoor sports.

And as for dropping product lines, most manufacturers have done it. I still have old Canon manual focus lenses, it does not mean I am worried about owning a EOS DSLR.

What I would do is look at your local camera shop(or etailer) and see which readily available lenses you would possibly buy. See which selection is more aimed towards you.

 

[photo_chick]

I remember Beta, we had a Beta video camera and player!

Don't forget UMD movies on that list. The games sell beause you can't rip just any game to a memory stick and play it like you can a DVD. I have a strong feeling when the PSP is replaced UMD will die all together right there.

 

[Anewman]

I remember Beta, we had a Beta video camera and player!

Don't forget UMD movies on that list. The games sell beause you can't rip just any game to a memory stick and play it like you can a DVD. I have a strong feeling when the PSP is replaced UMD will die all together right there.

Yes you CAN rip PSP games and play them from a memory stick.

not that it matters.

 

[photo_chick]

Pentax users like to point out the fact that Pentax DSLRs can use(with adapters???) any and all Pentax lenses ever made including older manual focus lenses. I am just giving my opinion that those would not be IDEAL for fast moving outdoor sports.

I have an old Pentax SLR with a 55mm f/1.8 (M42 mount) lens that I have used to shoot sports. It is a fast lens and is very sharp. Course your zoom is your feet with it! But if you want to shoot a kids soccer game from the sidelines it will do nicely. Well, at least it does for me!

My feeleing on this is that people had to manual focus long before AF lenses came to be. A lot of the time I manually focus. Those photographers who shot sports before AF lenses did not seem to have a problem with it.

 

[photo_chick]

Yes you CAN rip PSP games and play them from a memory stick.

not that it matters.

But they have to be PSP games to start with, right?

Again, more support for the death of UMD.

 

[Anewman]

But they have to be PSP games to start with, right?

Again, more support for the death of UMD.

???????

OK

 

[Anewman]

Pentax users like to point out the fact that Pentax DSLRs can use(with adapters???) any and all Pentax lenses ever made including older manual focus lenses. I am just giving my opinion that those would not be IDEAL for fast moving outdoor sports.

I have an old Pentax SLR with a 55mm f/1.8 (M42 mount) lens that I have used to shoot sports. It is a fast lens and is very sharp. Course your zoom is your feet with it! But if you want to shoot a kids soccer game from the sidelines it will do nicely. Well, at least it does for me!

My feeleing on this is that people had to manual focus long before AF lenses came to be. A lot of the time I manually focus. Those photographers who shot sports before AF lenses did not seem to have a problem with it.

Great for you, if you feel that a 55mm Manual focus lens is "IDEAL"(the word I used) for soccer.