I`ve been thinking for a while now about getting an SLR camera. My first! After reading loads of reviews, I`ve narrowed down my choices to two models:
The Sony dSLR A200 and the Olympus E-510.
Given an unlimited budget, I`d go for a Nikon with VR lens, but I`m on a limited (student) budget and its these two cameras which offer me maximum value for my money.(inbuilt IS for one enabling me to buy cheap long lenses).
I can get the Sony cheapest: Body only for £218 or with the twin lens kit 18-70mm & 75-300mm for £377. I`ve heard only good things about the camera itself, a super-fast autofocus, inbuilt image stabilisation and Sony's D-Range (Dynamic Range) Optimiser. I also love its smart looks. However, I`ve been told the kit lens is disappointing, but that’s what I get for the money. With a 1.5x crop factor I get an effective focal length of 450mm on the 300mm lens. I`m hoping I can add a used 400mm sigma lens too later for another £200 to get an EFL of 600mm. That should do for a beginner’s budget bird photography set up should`nt it?
For the same price however, I can get the The Olympus E-510. Another highly rated camera! but with this, in addition to the inbuilt IS I also get live view (I`m thinking this will help on those rare occasions when I need to precision focus manually) and also a depth of focus preview button which the Sony lacks. Now, I can get the E-510 for for £340 with the 14-42 and 40-150mm twin lens. However, these lens are the superb Zuiko lens. Also, with the 4/3rds system that Olympus follows, it has a crop factor of 2x. That means I will get an EFL of 300mm on the 150mm lens. If I buy the Olympus, I`m hoping also to add a new Zuiko lens of 70-300mm for another £200 which will give me an EFL of 600mm! My concerns with the Olympus however are these: Olympus Lenses upward of 300mm are super pricey.What of the 4/3rds system? with hardly any other company following it, will it eventually die out leaving me with a relic!The E-510 has also been reported to struggle in low light with its auto focus(?).
I`m also considering buying the Sony body only and adding used lenses as a cheaper alternative.
Now, I`m really scratching my head. I will be using the camera primarily for bird photography, so I thought I`d pose the question to the experienced birders out there (who, hopefully will read this post). I`m sure there are many bird photographers out there who use either of the two systems. which one should I buy?
Also Should I also be considering other factors? Something I`ve missed out/ have the facts wrong on? I’d really appreciate any advice/comments anyone can give. Thanks.
Clearly you've done your homework and sorry I can't really comment on the cameras you've mentioned but have you considered a second hand Canon or Nikon instead? For example, I recently acquired a 400D body with 2 batteries from a seller here with less than 1100 clicks for sub £275. This way you maximise your options and won't have to compromise on longer lenses.
I'm sure most of the more serious photographers would recommend spending on quality glass rather than the camera.
The 4/3rds is gaining some momentum and might be able to hold its own - only time will tell.
As for the super long lens prices its the reason there are more canon wildlifers than nikon - canon are a little cheaper.
I will also echo the advice of Martin - a good lens is worth more than a good body since its the lens that will determin not only what you can shoot, but also the quality of shot you can get (since it directly affects the light that reaches the camera sensor)