Customer Reviews

DSLRA100K - DIGITAL SLR KIT BODY + 18-70MM LENS

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Nothing wrong with the shutter speeds on the A100, wondering what the previous reviewer means. In fact the built-in stabilization gives you 2 or 3 extra handheld stops on the slow end with any Sony or Minolta AF lens.
I've had the Konica Minolta 5D, now also the 7D, and have been using a Sony A100 with the 18-55mm SAM kit lens for several months now. I previously had the 18-70mm kit lens but I find the newer 18-55 a bit sharper generally, though both were ok. Flash range generally seems fine, and yes, you have to pull the flash up to use it. Photos are generally very good through ISO 400, and good at ISO 800 after a little noise reduction. ISO 1600 can be usable but noise is high and contrast is low. Shooting RAW can also help on the higher ISO images. This is a relatively light, fast, and compact DSLR that uses a huge backlog of generally inexpensive Minolta AF lenses. Take advantage of that, the built in image stabilization, and the now inexpensive prices on used bodies! Also bear in mind that this camera was a little "higher level" (more like an A500 would be now as the successor to the 5D) than the succeeding A200 and A3oo series in that it had a depth of field preview and more manual settings. The newer Sonys have more bells and whistles perhaps (live view and more scene modes, nothing essential), but this one had better fundamentals for its' category in many ways. The latest CMOS sensors in the A500 series are a step up of course, but they also cost quite a bit more than a used A100.

I have this camera. Only because I had a 35mm Minolta and was able to use the same lenses. I wanted to go digital. The shutter speed on the Sony Alpha is terrible. The range of the flash is horrible. You will need an external flash to compare to the range of an average normal dsl camera, let along you will not have an automatic flash. You will always have to open the flash compartment!