Sony Alpha A380Y 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses

Comments

1. Timothy Johnson says:

   September 22, 2010 at 12:58 AM

   Review by Timothy Johnson for Sony Alpha A380Y 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses
   Rating:
   Good balance between features and ease of use. I especially like how easy it is to use the auto focus to focus on an exact point.
2. Louis Hall says:

   September 22, 2010 at 1:33 AM

   Review by Louis Hall for Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   Sony is again the company to look for with great products. I have experience with the Sony DSLR camers and the previous battery, (FM55), which was a great battery to use. I was loving the length of time I got from the battery but this one goes even stronger. This newer battery blows the lid off the amount of pictures. Once I could get around 900 shots now I can get about 1500 shots depending on flash usage and setup. If you need a battery with the stamina to keep pace with your picture taking this is it. It’s even backwards compatible with the older Alpha 100 but the 100 battery will not work in the Alpha 700.
3. S. Krey says:

   September 22, 2010 at 1:49 AM

   Review by S. Krey for Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   Very good battery life. I was able to photograph an entire 6 to 7 hour Wedding without changing the battery once. I bought two of these batteries, but probably only needed to buy one because the life is better than I thought. Oh well, it’s better to have too many batteries than too little…Also, this battery definitely lasts longer than the original battery that came with my Sony A-100.
4. Dsl Creative says:

   September 22, 2010 at 2:17 AM

   Review by Dsl Creative for Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   Sony has really increased the battery life with the newer infolithium batteries they offer. I use them with my A700 and various lenses. I can usually get a good 4 hours of continuous shooting out of them. That’s powering the camera, lense motors, auto focus…etc.
5. Vijay K. Varma says:

   September 22, 2010 at 2:36 AM

   Review by Vijay K. Varma for Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   I bought this battery after reading Amazon reviews and also after checking with Sony about the compatibility of this battery for Sony alpha 100. The battery cover also says it is a replacement battery for NP-FM55H. But when I charged and inserted the battery into my Sony DSLRA100 camera, it diplayed “Incompatible product. Use the right model”. Do not use this battery for Sony alpha 100 camera.
6. George R. Almasi says:

   September 22, 2010 at 2:59 AM

   Review by George R. Almasi for Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   I bought this as a backup. Haven’t had to use it as the battery supplied with the camera is going strong and is more than enough capacity for the usual family, grandkid pics. If you are planning a vacation or overseas venture I’d definitely recommend having the backup.
7. Andrew Siew says:

   September 22, 2010 at 3:20 AM

   Review by Andrew Siew for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550L 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
   Rating:
   Sony has been trying really hard to compete with Canon, Nikon, Olympus and other major DSLR players since the release of the alpha 100. The 550 along with 500 are the latest additions to Sony’s already very crowded DSLR line-up.

   On the outside, the 550 looks just like the recently released 380 and 330, and some might even mistaken it for the entry level 230 at first glance. However, everyone knows that appearance can be deceiving.

   Unlike its other live-view siblings, the 550 is a very fast live-view enabled DSLR. Clocking at 4 frames per second under live-view (with continuous focusing), the frame rate surpasses many of the earlier Sony DSLRs, trailing behind only the alpha 700 and 900. None of these models are live-view enabled. There are a few options for continuous shooting for the 550 here: Hi, Lo, and speed priority. At “Hi” mode, the DSLR blasts away at 4 fps while it tracks the subject’s movements. There are few instances of hesitation here, where the camera slows down a little, but the bottom line is, Sony did not lie about the 4 fps capability. Switching to speed priority, however, was a bit of a let down for me. Although the continuous rate immediately went up to an amazing 7 fps (you can literally hear the shuttle slamming away like mad at 7fps), the live view was disabled and the screen went dark. Therefore, you can’t track the subject while you’re firing at 7fps with the live view mode turned on.

   The maximum number of continuous shots according to the manual is as follows: Fine (JPEG) = 32 shots, Standard (JPEG) 116 shots, RAW & JPEG = 7 shots and RAW = 14 shots. One good thing about the camera is that it does not slow down as you’re reaching toward the limit of these figures, so far I’ve tested Fine and Standard mode, and the camera does not disappoint.

   The Exmor sensor is impressive, although it won’t impress Canon DSLR owners (Do refer to the sample images on top, and observe how the noise level of this new sensor increases with the increase in sensitivity). Maintaining details and color all the way up to ISO 1600 is no easy feat, but the 550 does it well with the new APS-C CMOS Exmor sensor. There is unfortunately still enough chroma noise visible at full zoom, probably due to the fact that Sony’s noise reduction engine has never been great to begin with (all their earlier alpha models had alot of chroma noise at high ISOs), but the Exmor sensor helped alot in bringing the 550′s sensitivity up to 12,800. Granted, chroma noise is really high at that ISO and details are being sacrificed with the noise reduction engine aggressively filtering out those stray signals, but when you really need to shoot at that sensitivity, you’d be glad that the 550 actually gives you the option to do so. Earlier alpha models maxed out at ISO 3200, with heavy noise reduction that had no effect whatsover on chroma noise.

   The Auto HDR should only be turned on during really severe back-lit conditions. When applied, it brings the shadows out of the dark and produces a well balanced image without the use of fill-in flash. However, when used under normal conditions, the Auto HDR will over-compensate the shadows and produces a dull and “flat” image. The Auto HDR should also not be used for capturing moving objects, as two consecutive frames will be captured and overlapped against each other to produce the final image. A football flying across the football field will turn into two footballs in the final image. Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO, 5 different selectable levels) should be used under normal shooting conditions and when shooting fast moving subjects. However, do note that as the DRO function pushes the shadow areas out of the dark electronically, the noise level in those dark areas will increase along with the DRO setting. DRO Lv4 and Lv5 produce very noticable noise, so should be used sparingly.

   The new DT 18-55mm lens has less zooming power than the DT 18-70mm model that comes with older alphas, but the resolving power of this new lens is somewhat impressive. The DT 18-70 could barely make it past the 10MP mark, whereas the DT 18-55 seems to be able to capture details beyond what the alpha 550′s 14.2MP sensor could see. The focusing mechanism is very quiet and responsive, making it easy for you to get close to pets and creatures that are easily startled by sounds. But if you already have an army of alpha mount lenses waiting for the 550, I would recommend that you skip this camera-lens combo and go straight for the body only package.

   Another thing to note about the DT 18-55mm lens is that is has an amazingly minimum focusing distance, at 25cm. This is the shortest distance you can place the camera’s sensor from your subject. With the zoom dial set all the way to 55mm, this entry level lens is able to capture very impressive macro photos. The DT 18-70mm (bundled with older entry level alphas) had a minimum focusing distance of about 40cm, so this new lens, unlike its older sibling, makes a great macro lens too, if you are not trying to magnify a button or a bead. The actual distance of the subject from the glass of the lens is alot less than 25cm, as the minimum distance is measured from the surface of the sensor to the subject.

   I’m still playing with the 550 as I’m typing this review, trying to look for flaws that’ll make me regret buying this DSLR to replace my 350, but so far I’m having no luck finding any. Although the screen is a little bit crowded with alot of unnecessary information for the sake of point-and-shoot camera users, the design of the updated graphic user interface is simply sublime. The camera is surprisingly affordable, and yet stands up well next to alot of high-end DSLRs out there.
8. Dave Mayer says:

   September 22, 2010 at 3:26 AM

   Review by Dave Mayer for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550L 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
   Rating:
   I can remember sitting in an outdoor cafe in St. Martin on the French side with my Canon EOS film camera on the table. I was alone, looking out over the bay in Marigot, wishing I was on one of the sailboats going out to sea, when a man asked if he could join me. It’s not what you think, all the other tables were full with couples or more. I was the only one dining (actually drinking) alone. So I told the portly Dutch guy, “Sure, no problem.”

   He sat down, immediately pointed a small digital camera out to sea and snapped a few shots, then he showed them to me on a small LCD screen. Damn, I thought. Digital photography just might catch on.

   And it did, but I didn’t make the jump from film to digital until the the summer of 2006, six years after I’d met that guy in Marigot. Why, it took me so long, I don’t know. The laundry room I’d converted into a dark room, maybe. I was a pseudo, photo taking stuck up snob, who thought film was better, probably. I was an idiot, certainly.

   My ex, also a photo taking snob, got the house, the darkroom, my heart in the divorce and I threw in all my gear and moved to a condo by the beach. Huntington Beach, where I could see the ocean from my front door. Lots of surf there. You can see Catalina on a clear day and the pollution makes for gorgeous sunsets. The sunrise on the water is gorgeous, too.

   And because there was no room for a darkroom in my small condo, I decided it was time to go digital and I bought a new Sony Alpha 100. And I liked it. Rather than upgrade the body year after year, I concentrated on lenses and I have a lot now. But my Alpha 100 body got long in the tooth, so I upgraded to an Alpha 550 and wowza, this is a camera.

   Bigger pictures, 14.2 megapixels, a bright three inch LCD. The resolution is so good you can even read it in bright sunlight. The live view is great, but there is no video which you can find on Canon and Nikons, but I don’t do video, so I don’t miss it. The camera accepts both SD cards and memory sticks.

   This camera has bells, it’s got whistles. Built in IS, which helps keep the price of the lenses down, five frames per second shooting with auto focus, seven without. Want face detection? This camera has it. Smile detection too, though I believe that’s overkill and I don’t use it. I could go on and on about this cameras features, but all the bells and whistles in the world wouldn’t be worth a hill of beans if it didn’t deliver and this camera really delivers. For me it comes down to noise, because I do a lot of low light shooting. I got noise at 800 ISO & above on my Alpha 100, but not now. Shooting at 6400 ISO and you don’t see any noise. You can shoot 12.800 and it’s barely noticeable, depending what you’re shooting.

   And this camera just feels right in your hands. They say this isn’t a professional camera because it’s not full frame. Well, that’s just crazy talk, because if you can’t full fill your photographic dreams with this camera, you can’t call yourself a pro.
9. Jackal says:

   September 22, 2010 at 3:59 AM

   Review by Jackal for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550L 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
   Rating:
   I’m happy with this camera. However, the development of digital cameras is very fast so the camera is likely to be behind cutting edge in a couple of years. I bought this camera because it is not that expensive, so one can always upgrade. Some good and bad things:
   
   - Steady shot makes it possible to take very sharp pictures at 1/15.
   
   - Quite decent performance up to ASA 800. I can go up to ASA 12,800, which results in noise, but also sharp pictures in very low light. If you like me hate using the flash, this is great. I’d rather have grain than flat flash light.
   
   - Very sharp live viewfinder. I cannot do without this facility anymore. Not many higher-end DSLR cameras have this function yet.
   
   - The autofocus does not work that well in low light. I don’t know if other cameras are better. However, the Manual Focus Live Viewfinder function is very good when using manual focus in low light and low contrast settings.
   
   - The camera isn’t well prepared for HDR (high dynamic range). There is a built in function (works just so so), but I’d rater be able to do bracketed exposures in 1 or 2 EV steps. That is not possible. I can do bracketed exposures in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps but that isn’t really useful for HDR. Clearly Sony is holding back on performance for the next model in 2010.
   
   - The camera fits okay in my standard male sized hands. Bigger might fit better but it is also nice that the camera is not bulky.
   
   - Information panel is informative, except for ASA level when using ASA Auto setting. It would have been very nice to know what ASA level the camera decide to use when in Program mode.

   If you buy this camera, skip the 18-55 lens and go for the 18-250 lens instead Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood. It just doesn’t make sense to buy a USD1,000 camera and fit it with a USD100 lens. The longer zoom is a good allround lens. A bit slow, but with an amazing range, 27-375 35mm equivalent. I actually don’t find a 200mm zoom that useful, but when you can go up to 375mm new opportunities open. If you want to spend some more dollars, get the 50mm f/1.4 lens. That lens will function like 75mm, which is not optimal, but that is really the only chance of getting a wide open aperture lens. (Sony also sells a 35mm f/1.4, but that is very expensive and has received poor reviews.) The advantage with the 50mm f/1.4 lens is that it is full-frame so it can be used when you later upgrade to a fullformat camera.
10. Keith Slawson says:

    September 22, 2010 at 4:32 AM

    Review by Keith Slawson for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550L 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
    Rating:
    Since the other reviews have quite a bit of practical information in them, I thought I’d post one that was more of a gut reaction from a new user. What it lacks in detail, it more than makes up for in brevity.
    
    I own an A700, and love it, but wanted a good back-up camera/second body. Naturally, I kept going back to Sony, since I have quite a bit invested in glass and gear.
    
    Unfortunately, none of the previous models felt quite right in my hand. The grips all seemed too slight and uncertain. I have big hands and long fingers (perfect for a pianist or strangler, not so hot for a DSLR shooter,) so finding a camera with a “good feel” is a bit tricky. The A550 fits the bill (and my hand,) quite nicely. For me, it’s a great second camera. I also found it be fairly responsive and easy to use, as well as alot of fun. I may never take full advantage of all
    
    the “bells and whistles,” but they’re alot of fun to play with, and may come in handy from time to time as well (a bit like an amp that goes to 11.)
11. Roger A. Knopf says:

    September 22, 2010 at 4:51 AM

    Review by Roger A. Knopf for Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)
    Rating:
    I’m going to contain my enthusiasm for long enough to get some details down about what I love about the A500. This is one GREAT camera body and I am having a ball using it.

    I previously used both a Minolta 9xi (their top of the line 35mm film camera) as well as Mamiya medium format gear which I still use for weddings and portraits. With the advent of good digital cameras and especially digital darkroom (AKA Photoshop) I had become increasingly frustrated dealing with film but had not found a digital SLR that performed well enough for my relatively limited amateur budget so made do with a nice pocket-sized digital Nikon zoom which takes great pictures but is slow slow slow compared to what I was used to. Since I had an investment in Minolta lenses I was inclined toward the Sony line (which takes the Maxxum lenses) but earlier models seemed like too much of a compromise for the $$$. Enter the A500!

    Things I love about it:
    
    – 12.3 megapixels
    
    – really easy and intuitive controls, which in a lot of ways are similar to the 9xi so especially easy for me
    
    – fast initial and shot-to-shot speed – I use the 5fps continuous mode for sports all the time
    
    – fabulous low-light performance
    
    – in-body (vs in-lens) antishake – still have not resorted to a tripod!
    
    – very high maximum ISO
    
    – excellent battery performance (covered two school basketball games using Live View with juice to spare)
    
    – high memory capacity – I think I have 8Gb in it, and shooting in “fine” resolution I get about 1450 images and about 500 in “raw” mode. I LOVE LOVE LOVE never having to stop to change film cartridges and never worrying about running out! If the subject matter and final use allowed fewer megapixels or smaller image size I could get 5000+ images on this thing. Woo hoo! Talk about built for news or sporting events!

    One nice surprise was how fast I can download the images from the camera – previously downloading images from my 5mp Nikon Coolpix I was prepared to wait a long time to download the larger files from the A500. Much to my surprise it was perhaps even a bit faster. Same computer, same USB port. Nice!

    All this for a very reasonable price (and I caught it on a day where the price was $100 off Amazon’s usual price – what a deal!). I’ve still not explored all this baby can do, and look forward to getting to know it better. So far most of what I have been shooting has been sports but next up are some portraits and out to do some landscape/nature stuff. I’m eager to see how my 100-300mm lens does on the A500 with wildlife under the forest canopy, and tripod work to maximize image quality of scenic and nature shots.

    Most of the time I use it with the Sony 18-105mm lens, pretty decent but I have not put it through its paces fully. My father-in-law has the equivalent Zeiss and I’m definitely going to borrow it for comparisons. I wish it were faster in the longer focal lengths. Also, I wish there was a prime lens closer to the 35mm equivalent of 90-100mm, my favorite portrait length. For now I’m making do with a Minolta 50mm f1.7 prime, which is equivalent to 75mm on the 9xi – an excellent lens and between f1.7, high ISO values, and the Sony’s anti-vibe and low light performance I practically never have to take subject motion or available light into consideration – which means the subject doesn’t have to think about the camera and I can focus on letting them do what they do while I capture it. This is just…unleashed!
12. Kristi W. says:

    September 22, 2010 at 5:37 AM

    Review by Kristi W. for Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)
    Rating:
    I have had my a500 for a few months and am very happy with my purchase. This is a great camera for someone wishing to switch from advanced point-and-shoot to full d-SLR. The menus are intuitive, and this camera is generally easy to use. It has some nice features like HDR imaging, manual live focus, and an amazing live view. I tested this camera with Nikon and Canon models in the same price range and felt this was the superior product. I also like that this camera has the autofocus motor inside the camera itself (unlike many similarly priced models by other brands), making it compatible with my 20-year old Minolta lenses. As you probably know, lenses are as important, if not more important, than the camera body so it’s nice to be able to use older, reasonably-priced, solid glass. This generally takes nice low light shots although there is some noise at higher ISOs if you are really picky. This is to be expected from a camera in this price range. Also the kit lens is not the greatest, but this is usually the case with entry level SLR cams and I do feel that it’s a lot better than the kit lens that comes with comparable Canons and Nikons. At any rate, I’d recommend buying the body only and picking up a used Minolta 50mm 1.7 prime lens (readily available and inexpensive). Then start shooting. I gave this 5 stars because it’s great at what it is — a starter SLR camera with some room for the photographer to grow. This of course can’t compete with $2000-$3000 full frame models, but it has none-the-less exceeded my expectations. Great value. In general, I think this brand is underrated in the digital camera world. If you are in the market for your first d-SLR, give Sony a try.
13. E. Larson says:

    September 22, 2010 at 5:57 AM

    Review by E. Larson for Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)
    Rating:
    This camera is easy to use yet has the functions of a pro level DSLR. Tilt screen is large and clear coupled with the live view it has been very helpful since I broke my wrist. Pictures are clear and very sharp. If you have old Minolta AF lens like I do it was an easy decision as to what camera to choose. Was almost going to choose a Canon but found out in time that their Live Veiw could not be used in manual mode.

    In Short this camera is an excellent choice for all levels of experience however the a550 “might” be of more appeal if you have the extra 200.00 to spend.
14. DK says:

    September 22, 2010 at 6:20 AM

    Review by DK for Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)
    Rating:
    I checked out the a500 with Adobe Lightroom 2.7; the program had no problem downloading the RAW files from the SONY. Since I tend to use Lightroom and Photoshop for image manipulation, I have not tested the ability of the camera to change such items as sharpness, white balance, etc.

    The a100 is very sensitive to infrared. Using a 72 filter, I could get good IR photographs in bright sunlight at f8/1 sec. The a500 requires a 4-second exposure indicating a somewhat better IR filter.

    Otherwise, the a500 has several features no offered by the a100, SONY’s first DSLR. The viewing screen can be helpful, as can the new exposure modes. It’s a bit easier to use since some of the menu items are accessed by a Fn (function) system.
15. P. Chin says:

    September 22, 2010 at 7:09 AM

    Review by P. Chin for Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)
    Rating:
    I’ll try to review aspects of this camera body purchase, and not just to repeat “camera test” reports which you can find several by googling it. I am happy with the price and solid reputation of Amazon on this “fulfilled by Amazon” purchase. This is important as there are other lower prices offered by some dubious sellers. (Now you can get a good “sold by Amazon” price.)

    The Sony A500 body replaces my A300 body, and the improvements (confirmed in my 2 day makeshift tests)are definitely there , while retaining the two best and also improved features that I treasure — the tiltable screen and the best live-view system. On a value basis, I would give it 5+ stars. I agree with the previous reviewer that Sony is under-appreciated. Sony delivers value, best bang for the buck. As you can tell by the price, the camera has been heavily discounted, making it a tremendous value over Nikon and Canon, who I think are too traditional photography bound. They lack innovation and usable features. Who introduced dust removal, anti-shake, live view, tilt screen? Not them. (Don’t respond to this. I am not trying to start a war with Canon fanatics. Oops, I mean fans.) To the pixel peeping Toms, Canon is the epitome. But Sony shooters can still use old Konica-Minolta AF lenses and have auto focus and anti-shake function because they are built into the camera, not in the lens. In the lower price category, the Sony A500 is a very capable camera, as others. So it boils down to personal preference on features or brand name when choosing a camera. The most important part of the camera however is the photographer. Composition is the key and post software editing does the rest. Go out and take some pictures. As previous reviewer noticed, the cameras are getting better and cheaper every year, just like other electronics.

    You must also have a fairly good Point & Shoot to complement the DSLR. The P&S is good for portability, 25mm wide angle, a longer zoom and 720p movie. My camera equipment for my budget and style: Sony A200 body, A500 body, 18-55mm kit lens, various Minolta era lenses, 3 big flashes; Panasonic ZR1; and Pentax Optio WS80 (not good, but cheap and weather resistant)
16. LambertWM says:

    September 22, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    Review by LambertWM for Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    I bought this lens to replace the kit lens that came with the Sony Alpha 300. I wanted an all-round lens so I wouldn’t have to carry/change multiple lenses. I’m very happy with the results: excellent quality photo’s, very easy to use because of the all-purpose 18-200 range.

    Some observations:
    
    - Although the lens doesn’t feel overly heavy, if you point the camera down, the lens will “zoom in” due to gravity pulling it out. Understandable, but sometimes this feels clumsy. There is a zoom-lock switch btw.
    
    - If you place the anti-direct-sunlight-cap-thingie backwards on the lens (to store it there), you cannot reach the manual focus ring anymore. Understandable, and documented, but still not practical.

    Bottomline: very good buy, must-have if you choose to carry 1 lens max.
17. Christopher P. Rodriguez says:

    September 22, 2010 at 8:06 AM

    Review by Christopher P. Rodriguez for Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    I’m only a student of photography, so I’m not able to get too technical in my review. I bought this lens because like most, I wanted an all-in-one lens. A lens that would allow me to take close family shots and those distance shots; when I can’t be as close as I’d like to be. I’ve only had this lens for a about a month now, but I must say I’m extremely happy with the lens. With that said, I’m very big on landscape photos and not heavy into sports or fast action shots. The photos I’ve taken with this lens so far (around 500) are very crisp and clean shots.

    I did notice that the lens can be a little slow on the auto focus, so beware. If you plan to only use this lens for sports and/or action shots, you might be a little disappointed. Otherwise, this lens is great! Now, I can get rid of my three other lenses that this single lens has replaced.
    
18. John Klunder says:

    September 22, 2010 at 8:16 AM

    Review by John Klunder for Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    The lens was purchased to lighten the load in my camera bag by eliminating the kit lens that came with my Sony DSLR with a zoom range of 18-70mm, and another 45-200mm zoom lens that occupied some space. The zoomfunction operates flawlessly and the auto-focus function is extremely accurate, giving me the sharp close-ups that I shoot in my business.Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
19. Ryoasuka says:

    September 22, 2010 at 9:05 AM

    Review by Ryoasuka for Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    Pro : so cheap
    
    11x but compact size
    
    nice image quality
    
    Con : slow focus
    
    noisy when focus
    
20. Kevin N. Smith says:

    September 22, 2010 at 9:53 AM

    Review by Kevin N. Smith for Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    I have an Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D that is no longer made. I found I couldn’t use my old “film based lenses” on this digital camera. But this Tamron lens has worked extremely well on my digital camera. I highly recommend this lens. Plus you don’t need to carry any other lenses when you travel. Always a good thing.
21. Dennis L. Turner says:

    September 22, 2010 at 9:56 AM

    Review by Dennis L. Turner for Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    I bought the Tamron to go with my Sony a200 dslr. The lens is really nice quality, and it works perfectly with the camera. Autofocus is quick and accurate. It is certainly not a pro quality lens, but for the price it is wonderful. I recommend this for anyone who wants a telephoto zoom to add to their dlsr. I tried out the Sony 70-300mm lens in a local store, but I was not impressed. In particular the usability of manual focus on the Sony lens was quite poor. This one is fantastic in that regard. You may not use manual focus that often, but it’s nice to have a lens that can handle the job when you need it.
22. S. SPEIGHT says:

    September 22, 2010 at 10:26 AM

    Review by S. SPEIGHT for Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    I recently took this lens to Hawaii with me. I got some great shots of Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay. The shots of Diamond Head are so close it looks like I visted it.
    
    I also put a UV filter on it and the colors are VIBRANT! I’ve received many compliments.
    
    If you’re looking for a larger lens, this is the one to buy.
23. DCA says:

    September 22, 2010 at 11:25 AM

    Review by DCA for Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    First off this is in no way a compact lens, its big and its heavy, but it does produce very sharp and detailed images under the right conditions.

    I am using this with my Sony A200 and it performs well on a tripod, but for handheld success it better be a very bright sunny day or a very high ISO setting because this lens is very difficult to control at extreme telephoto lengths. My Sony begins flashing the warning sign in the viewfinder at 200mm, but to the cameras credit the steady shot performs well. That being said I would suggest that this lens be used with a tripod.

    Bottom line, for the cost this is a very nice lens. It is louder than the Sony or Minolta’s, and it does hunt a bit at extreme telephoto (partially I beleive due to camera shake induced by it’s weight) but all things considered the build quality seems, to me at least, to exceed the Sony kit lens.
24. Kristen P. Kowalski says:

    September 22, 2010 at 12:22 PM

    Review by Kristen P. Kowalski for Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    Excellent product and it was delivered quickly and had an awesome price.
25. J. H. Hawks says:

    September 22, 2010 at 1:14 PM

    Review by J. H. Hawks for Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    Lens was good up to full range. It gets a little hard to hold focus even with tripod. Good at close in shots.
26. Aldus Snow says:

    September 22, 2010 at 1:43 PM

    Review by Aldus Snow for Professional Series dSLR Zoom Holster for Nikon , Canon EOS , and Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras – Spacious Design Accommodates Extended Battery Grips
    Rating:
    I have A LOT of camera stuff, and I’ve had A LOT of bags to hold all that stuff. Lately though, I’ve really been wanting an every day walk around bag thats not too big, but still can hold at least my camers, two small lenses, and some other small things like memory cards, cables, batteries, etc. Oh, and I didn’t want to pay a lot of money for it. I came across this bag on amazon, and took a chance. I hadn’t really heard of the company USA GEAR and I’m so glad I took that chance and bought the case. It’s really light weight, very durable and, and best of all, holds everything i need it to plus more! It comfotably fits my D40 with 18-55 lens and my space 35mm lens. The hammock inside suspends my camera so there is no pressure on the lens or body. It has like seven pockets for my memory cards, batteries, filters, keys, and a granola bar haha! It’s just a really great functional bag that I honestly use every single day now. I’m thinking about buying another one actually, and one as a gift for a friend of mine.
27. Vladimir Pertu says:

    September 22, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    Review by Vladimir Pertu for Professional Series dSLR Zoom Holster for Nikon , Canon EOS , and Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras – Spacious Design Accommodates Extended Battery Grips
    Rating:
    I bought if for my Nikon D5000 with kit lens. The camera fits perfectly.
    
    The build quality is quite good, I love the hard (rubberized plastic) bottom which can protect the case in extreme weather conditions or even on beach on some wet sand.
    
    The top zipper seems a bit flimsy and I am afraid to pull it harder. It is quite hard to open the zipper with one hand.
    
    Shoulder strap is adjustable and case can be positioned quite comfortable, and it is very lightweight.
    
    I would definitely recommend this one to someone seeking a non-expensive holster case.
28. Cheryl W says:

    September 22, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    Review by Cheryl W for Professional Series dSLR Zoom Holster for Nikon , Canon EOS , and Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras – Spacious Design Accommodates Extended Battery Grips
    Rating:
    This is a great camera bag for the money.
    
    Well made and it holds my Canon digital rebel camera and stuff.
    
    The hard case bottom is excellent and the sling inside keeps the camera from bouncing around.
    
    I would recommend this camera bag to anyone.
29. H. Oh says:

    September 22, 2010 at 3:17 PM

    Review by H. Oh for Professional Series dSLR Zoom Holster for Nikon , Canon EOS , and Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras – Spacious Design Accommodates Extended Battery Grips
    Rating:
    Okay for the price. You can’t really store anything under, or behind the camera cover. Forget about extra lens or anything else really.
30. Srilowha says:

    September 22, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    Review by Srilowha for Professional Series dSLR Zoom Holster for Nikon , Canon EOS , and Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras – Spacious Design Accommodates Extended Battery Grips
    Rating:
    I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTi and was looking for a smaller, more portable case to carry it around than what I was using. I focused on holsters since I currently still only have the kit lens and wanted to leave it attached.

    Size: When I received this item it was much larger than I expected it to be. The Amazon product photo is accurate in showing the relative size of an entry-level DSLR compared to the case. I must have overlooked this fact when I purchased it. If you’re looking for something more compact where you just need to hold to the camera, I would recommend finding something smaller. This thing can fit the larger, professional cameras with a zoom lens attached.

    Interior: There are a couple pouches inside on the top cover which will fit extra batteries/memory cards. There is also a suspension system that does reduce the weight that would otherwise be sitting on the lens, but it sags quite a bit. So if you have a longer lens your camera body will probably be sitting on the lens anyway and won’t reach the hammock thing. Interior materials are all soft so you won’t have to worry about any scratches.

    Exterior: The material definitely seems waterproof and durable enough (like the exterior of most backpacks), but it certainly doesn’t have any fancy finish. There are two pockets on the sides which I only used for random papers or my lens cap. They’re larger than the interior ones, but not big enough to put a point-and-shoot in or anything like that. The plastic clasps feel cheap and squeak a little. I suspect these will be the first to break. The strap terminates on a fabric loop with reinforced stitching. Given the quality of the plastic I think this is probably actually a good thing. Hopefully it doesn’t chafe the fabric and cause it start unraveling. The bottom has a nice, thick, rubber sole. This is definitely one of the nicer components of the holster. It helps it stand up straight and maintains structure.

    Overall, it’s a bag that will do the job. In the world of photography, $30 can disappear quickly, so I guess this is a decent value, but I was expecting more. Specifically, I was hoping it would be smaller, more streamlined, and made of materials that were thicker and feel stronger. At least it gives me room to upgrade my hardware and still have it fit.
31. D. Felton says:

    September 22, 2010 at 3:39 PM

    Review by D. Felton for Sony PCKLH5AM LCD Protective Cover for Sony Alpha a230/330/380 Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    I decided to get the protective cover for the back of the Sony A230. The price was around $10.00 which is very little when you think about how much DSLR’s cost. The cover is very simple and easy to use and should help to keep the viewer (for Pics only) clean and protected. I’d like to also add that the Sony a230 has been a great camera. If you like taking pictures and have smaller hands this DSLR might just be right for you. Spend the extra money and get a plastic cover for the back so if the camera is dropped or there’s water or whatever it will protect the camera to a degree.
32. JCJ says:

    September 22, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    Review by JCJ for Sony PCKLH5AM LCD Protective Cover for Sony Alpha a230/330/380 Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    Common sense engineering to accomplish a practical goal which is protecting the Sony A330 live view screen.
33. M. Reid says:

    September 22, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    Review by M. Reid for Sony PCKLH5AM LCD Protective Cover for Sony Alpha a230/330/380 Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    Some have complained about the durability of this product, but I’ve not had that problem. This is the second Sony DSLR I’ve owned, and I’ve bought the appropriate size of this product for each, and each has fit well and performed as expected, which is simply to protect the LCD. If you’re concerned about scratching the LCD of your expensive Sony DSLR, buy this cover. It does the job you expect it to.
34. Jeff Anderson says:

    September 22, 2010 at 5:10 PM

    Review by Jeff Anderson for Sony PCKLH5AM LCD Protective Cover for Sony Alpha a230/330/380 Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    JUST LIKE WITH MY A550 (USE PCKLH6AM FOR A550 OR A500) I HAVE, IF YOU BOUGHT A A230,A330,OR A380 YOU NEED TO BUY THIS TO PROTECT YOUR LCD.
    
    IT SNAPS ON OR OFF VERY EASILY, AND IS A PERFECT FIT.
    
    SONY MAKES THESE FOR EVERY MODEL CAMERA THEY SELL, SO GET THE CORRECT ONE FOR YOUR MODEL.
    
    GET IT BEFORE YOU GET A SCRATCH ON YOUR LCD!
    
    I BOUGHT ONE AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE ONE ON MY CAMERA’S
35. JOHN R. PEACHER says:

    September 22, 2010 at 5:31 PM

    Review by JOHN R. PEACHER for Sony PCKLH5AM LCD Protective Cover for Sony Alpha a230/330/380 Digital SLR Cameras
    Rating:
    This protective screen cover for my DSLR is a great product. It keeps my screen form constantly having to be cleaned and possibly nicked. Easy to install and is clear so as to view my pictures easily. I would recommend this product to anyone that owns a DSLR camera.
    
    The price was good but shipping charges raised it to where it wasn’t a bargain but not enough to kill the deal. Would have given this purchase 5 stars if shipping were included.
36. imagesinthewind says:

    September 22, 2010 at 5:51 PM

    Review by imagesinthewind for Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Digital SLR with 18-55mm & 75-300mm Lenses and Carrying Case wtih Turtorial DVD
    Rating:
    After researching Nikon for a month, I was ready to buy the Nikon D5000. My daughters teacher told me to look at Sony before plunking down the Nikon money. I’m so glad I did!

    The body of the Sony has a vibration reduction built into the BODY of the camera so the lenses don’t need it. This make Sony lenses several hundred dollars cheaper than the Nikon lenses (that have VR). Lenses being the most expensive part of photography, this feature made me look harder at Sony.

    Recovery time from shutter press to ability to take the next photo is faster than on the Nikon. The Nikon was .5 to 1 second slower in recovery time. When you need to take several pictures fast (but not the continuous photo feature) this is a big thing.

    The Sony is lighter. I held both camera with the 18-55 lens attached, one in each hand, and the Nikon is much heavier after about 3 minutes. When carrying a camera around all day, that is important.

    I purchased my camera kit (body, 2 lenses, DVD and bag) for this price at Wolf/Ritz Camera in Denver. The people there allowed me to take several photos inside their store with both camera, using my SD card. I was also allowed to take several just outside the store. I used their 1 hour service to print the photos and found no quality difference. I printed them on 4X6 matte finish and at that small a size, the difference in megapixels (12 for Nikon, 14 for Sony) wasn’t seen.

    The price difference between the Sony and a comparable Nikon was so big that this kit is a no brainer! BUY IT! At 14mp this camera will last you years and you’ll pass it on to your kids. And you won’t spend all your money on lenses.

    Okay, there are a couple features I wish the Sony had. Primarily video. This camera cannot take video. I have 5 kids and I use a small Kodak 12mp point and shoot for the video, so I still get that. The kodak takes nice video and is inexpensive, is small so it fits in my camera bag easily.

    The bag that come with this kit isn’t the best. I will buy a better one this week. The bag is too small for the camera with the lens on.

    I took my Sony on a 4 day, 250 mile bicycle tour that I was SAGing for. I used it all weekend, took over 700 photos and the camera performed perfectly. The battery lasted over 500 shots (I used the optical viewfinder since it was so sunny I couldn’t see the LCD) before needing recharged.

    I’m very happy I purchased this Sony and expect it will last me many years to come.
37. T. Simon says:

    September 22, 2010 at 6:20 PM

    Review by T. Simon for Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Digital SLR with 18-55mm & 75-300mm Lenses and Carrying Case wtih Turtorial DVD
    Rating:
    First things first… I am not a professional photographer. It would be a stretch to even call me an amateur photographer.

    I had been in the market for a new camera since I was in Haiti a few months ago and I took a picture with my Canon Powershot S5IS of the sunset and a pair of fisherman in a canoe on the port in Port-au-Prince. The pictures turned out really good and I got a lot of compliments on them, but I knew that the camera did not do the scene justice.

    I wanted an entry to mid-range dSLR. I think I got that. The 18-55mm lens is nice. I have been taking a lot of photos on the daily walks with my wife and it seems to take work well enough for me. The 75-300mm lens does really well in low light with the right ISO, shutter speed, and a steady hand or support. The menu format/operating system/whatever is very intuitive and geared for people like me. The DVD was a nice touch. I tried to watch it, but my ADD kicked in. I am learning by fiddling.

    I like the fact that I got two pretty good quality lenses, a bag, and the camera. This is the bridge camera for me… After a few years, this will become a backup or a learner for my kid. I am going to use this to learn as much as I can, hone my skills, and perfect my techniques. When I get the rest of the equipment I want for this set up, I will probably be in about $1500, a small investment for my multi-year learning experience. By then, I’ll be ready to spend the big dollars for a camera that will last a lifetime.

    I definitely recommend this kit to someone making the jump. Come and see how much you have to learn… It is awesome.
38. Kevin says:

    September 22, 2010 at 6:32 PM

    Review by Kevin for Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Digital SLR with 18-55mm & 75-300mm Lenses and Carrying Case wtih Turtorial DVD
    Rating:
    This is a great kit. Telephoto lens, lens covers, a super nice SONY A380 (no not the airplane…the camera), and the standard 18-55mm lens, too! 14 Megapixels – WOW!

    Awesome camera first off…a real tank. Sony bought out Monolta, so the SLR’s will also use the older Auto-Focus Monolta lenses so I’m told. Me, I don’t know jack about photography, so I watched the DVD for dummies (-: comes with it and you can take a look while the batteries for the camera is charging (if you are a NOOB like me). This is gonna be the best B-Day gift ever!

    *****’s for value & quality – was so amazed by shots of my wall clock, can’t imaging the stunning frames the recipient of this will capture. Thanks to sony for putting this out there! As far as I can tell this camera is in the range of the Nikon D90, so this bundle is great if you don’t mind owning SONY.
39. Zachary Novak says:

    September 22, 2010 at 7:06 PM

    Review by Zachary Novak for Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Digital SLR with 18-55mm & 75-300mm Lenses and Carrying Case wtih Turtorial DVD
    Rating:
    I spent weeks trying to decide what camera to get, my son is playing youth football and our old point and shoot would only give us ghost images when he was in motion. I read the reviews on all DSLRs and saw that most of them give the good rating to Cannon and Nikon but they are at least $100 more expensive, granted they have HD movie capability but that is not something I need in my DSLR. The price plus the antishake built into the camera is what had me decide to get a Sony, this allows you to buy less espensive lenses, and I couldn’t be happier, I haven’t taken my son’d pictures yet but we went to the NY Giants football practice this weekend and I was able to get amazing pictures from the watching area, usually the opposite end of the field and at least 100 feet from the end zone, and they look like I was on the field within 20 feet of the action. I took the pictures in the auto mode using burst and moved the camers with the action perfect pictures, I will try to post a few. From the practice we went to the baseball Hall of Fame and I took pictures with the camera flash and at times I had to retake the picture because of bad light exposure, I was able to get great shots with the flash most of the time. Also the 14+ mp allows the pics to be zoomed and cropped without quality loss. I founf it very easy to use the auto mode and hadn’t even read a single line in the manual.
    
    I reccomend this camera to someone that is looking to get quality pictures but doesn’t want to spend a lot of $$$.
    
    The seller Andorama got me the camera immediately, I ordered Saturday night and had the camera on Tuesday.
40. Dan says:

    September 22, 2010 at 7:12 PM

    Review by Dan for Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Digital SLR with 18-55mm & 75-300mm Lenses and Carrying Case wtih Turtorial DVD
    Rating:
    I bought this camera for my wife as a replacement for her 35mm. She took it to shoot a wedding 2 days after getting the camera. She won’t be going back to 35mm any time soon. The only thing she will be needing is an external flash. the built in flash doesn’t cut it.