|
Advantages
|
D80
|
Rebel XTi
|
Alpha
|
|
Best autofocus – better in low-light and better tracking.
|
Good dust removal system – though one stubborn speck required manual cleaning
|
Super Steady Shot provides stabilization with any lens.
|
|
Better controls – two control dials, easy access to major settings.
|
Excellent color accuracy
|
Good dust removal system – we had no problems with it.
|
|
Monochrome LCD saves power while showing shooting data
|
Best dynamic range performance at high ISOs
|
LCD display shows shooting data clearly, and even rotates it for vertical shooting.
|
|
Robust construction will probably be more durable than XTi or Alpha
|
LCD display shows shooting data in big, uncrowded display
|
Evaluative metering system is effective, even in challenging scenes
|
Conclusion
When Sony announced the 10-megapixel Sony Alpha A100, with dust control and image stabilization in a sub-$1000 kit, it seemed as though other camera makers were going to have to adjust their prices or their products radically. In some ways, they have. Neither Canon nor Nikon had a 10-megapixel DSLR near the $1000 mark when the Alpha was announced. Now they do, and Canon's has dust control.
But still, why spend $50 more for a Canon or $250 more for a Nikon with seemingly fewer features than the Alpha? Both cameras have as important advantages over the Alpha as they have disadvantages. Both are laid out better – the left hand control dial on the Alpha is odd and slower at everything than the XTi and D80 alternatives. The XTi has much better color accuracy and high ISO dynamic range, and the D80 has much better autofocus and build quality, which are apparently the most expensive qualities to engineer into a digital camera.
There will be plenty of buyers for each camera, and many happy owners all around. The cameras are not equivalent, though, and their differences are reflected in price, appropriate owners and features. The Sony Alpha A100 is intended for buyers who don't plan to buy more advanced equipment soon. The Canon certainly could be, and the Nikon is not just an entry camera, it's an appropriate backup body for prosumers and pros on a budget.
|
