Entry Level DSLR

[Spacecadet]

Also, haven't Sony recently released the nex7?

It looks like the nex7 will be the top product in a group starting with the nex3, not a replacement for the nex5.
The nex7 is bigger, has a lot more features but will be double the price of the nex5

[FarmerPalmer]

Sony were first with a true live view. I have an A500, which is a great camera.

Sony bought Minolta, and took on the alpha mount, used by Minolta's later AF SLR cameras.

So due to the heritage, you can use old Minolta AF lenses, as well as Sony, you can also, if you find yourself feeling flush get some nice Sony Carl Zeiss lenses, But also Tamron, Sigma etc make alpha mount lenses.

Most magazines normally recommend Canon or Nikon, which have a wealth of upgrade options, with their own and Sigma, Tamron etc making lenses.

Neither Sony, Canon or Nikon lenses are interchangable - you need to choose your brand / path at the start.

Olympus are also in the market, but tend to be budget end and limited upgrade path, if you ever want a better lense or body.

[doodab]

Olympus are also in the market, but tend to be budget end and limited upgrade path, if you ever want a better lense or body.

Actually the "pro grade" Olympus lenses are about as good as anything out there and because they are purpose designed for the 4/3rds sensor instead of full frame they are brighter for the equivalent focal lengths. Their pro bodies aren't quite in the same league as Nikons & Canons IMO, the smaller sensor will always hold them back, but they are still excellent cameras.

Canon & Nikon have by far the best selection of lenses, they are the only systems that offer some of the more specialised stuff like very long telephotos or tilt shift lenses, plus when sigma et al make a new lens Canon & Nikon owners tend to get first dibs because they are the largest market, and hire firms like Calumet generally only carry Nikon & Canon lenses. I would say the handicap of both systems is that a lot of the prime lenses are designed around full frame and showing their age a bit. That's something they need to address IMO.

[kaiser78]

Actually the "pro grade" Olympus lenses are about as good as anything out there and because they are purpose designed for the 4/3rds sensor instead of full frame they are brighter for the equivalent focal lengths. Their pro bodies aren't quite in the same league as Nikons & Canons IMO, the smaller sensor will always hold them back, but they are still excellent cameras.

Canon & Nikon have by far the best selection of lenses, they are the only systems that offer some of the more specialised stuff like very long telephotos or tilt shift lenses, plus when sigma et al make a new lens Canon & Nikon owners tend to get first dibs because they are the largest market, and hire firms like Calumet generally only carry Nikon & Canon lenses. I would say the handicap of both systems is that a lot of the prime lenses are designed around full frame and showing their age a bit. That's something they need to address IMO.

We went for a Pentax kx earlier this year and love it. Easy to use, superb quality photos and good video shoot. Recently added Tamron zoom lens - not the most expensive but for what we use it for, fine.