Would you buy this?

[newtodis]

I think I've settled on a Sony A300 due to the fact that it seems most like the camera that I already have. I looked on line (Best Buy and Amazon.com) and Best Buy didn't even have the 300 available. Amazon.com shows it for $699.99 or $899.00 with an additional lens. Should I bid on this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-SONY-Alpha-D...QQcmdZViewItem

I have a reservation 1) because it's ebay and 2) because I really liked the Nikon that I played with at Best Buy. I'm looking more towards the Sony because it's similiar to the p&s that I have (lcd screen until I'm more comfortable and retrain myself to stop using it, automatic settings) and because I read (here on the boards) that the lenses for this type of camera would have image stabilization which is important to me.

Thoughts on the camera choice and the auction listing???

Thanks so much!!

 

[ukcatfan]

Personally, I would never pick a DSLR b/c you want to use it like a p&s. Using the viewfinder is not hard at all. You are seeing the actual light, so you will always have a better view of what you are shooting compared to a LCD. This is especially true in low light. Hand holding it like a p&s is going to basically offset the benefit you would be getting from IS. If you are worried about getting the proper exposure b/c the viewfinder brightness does not show that, do not worry b/c there is always a simple indicator to show you. On some it is a number that ranges from -3 to 3 in 1/3 exposure stops. It can also be a bar showing the same thing. Basically, I believe that you will not be very impressed with the performance if you always use the LCD.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Like Kevin said, plus the A300 also has a smaller viewfinder than most DSLRs because it squeezes in a small sensor in there to give you Live View. This Live View also doesn't won't have information overlays like on a PnS, and won't show you 100% of the image like a PnS. And like all LCDs, there will be a slight delay between "real world" and what the LCD shows (especially noticable when panning.)

I'm not saying that the A300 is a bad choice, but it certainly isn't the same as using a point-n-shoot, although Sony is shooting for that. However, I think this is mainly marketing-driven, as like Kevin said, using a viewfinder is vastly preferable - you always see what the camera sees instantly, it's a more natural way of holding a camera, the camera is held steadier, etc... the value of Live View is for situations where looking through the viewfinder is difficult or inconvenient, like when on a tripod or at a high or low angle.

The Nikon actually has more automatic (or "scene") modes, BTW, if you were looking at a D40/D40x/D60 - 8 vs 7.

As for image stabilization, with the Nikon (and Canon), you need to buy IS in the lens. The D60 comes with an IS lens, the D40/D40x don't. IS (or VR as Nikon calls it) is in several lenses but it usually adds to the cost of the lens. With the Sony (and all Pentax and some Olympus DSLRs), IS is in the camera body itself, so every lens is automatically stabilized.

By the way, your eBay link doesn't work. I'd be a little hesitant buying a brand-new DSLR from eBay, it would have to be from an authorized retailer and the seller would have to have at least 99% positive feedback and thousands of transactions before I'd even consider it.

 

[Gdad]

I have bought a lens or two and accessories and stuff on Ebay but that's about it. I would personally avoid buying a camera body from Ebay in case I ran into warranty issues down the road.