I hope this is the place to post. I currently have a Sony A-100, with 4 lenses, from wide angle to super tele. I love the camera and I think the quality of pics. is real good. I would like to upgrade but am unsure as to which to get, the A-700 or A900. I almost entirely shoot landscape. Are either of these cameras worth it or should I consider changing altogether. Thank you for any feed back
Posted by Harold Ankney on November 9, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Hi Harold
From one Harold to another you couldn't go wrong with either camera in my opinion. I own the A-100 and there are two or three other members who use it or have upgraded from it to the A-700 here. Here is an article that might help you decide.
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2008/10/16/do-you-really-need-an-alpha-900/
If you already have good lenses in this system, it probably makes sense to stay with Sony. Really the only way to answer it is you'll get better resolution and image quality. Whether these will be "worth it" is really up to you - will having mode detail make a difference in the way you use your images (e.g. prints)?
My wife has both the A100 and the A350. The difference with the same lenses is remarkable. I would say, if the A700 or the A900 are on a par with improvement from the A100 to the A350, you can't go wrong. The big deal for her is the increased flexibility in cropping available with the A350, and improved color and noise control a close second and third.
Posted by David Bostedo on November 9, 2008 at 7:45 PM
One thing to consider is whether or not the lenses you have are compatible with the A900. I'm not sure if Sony has any lenses that only work with smaller sensor cameras, but the A900 will definitely need lenses that work on full frame.
Anyway, I'd suggest sticking with the system you have unless you can find a good reason to switch (i.e. you really need some feature/lens/performance option that Sony doesn't have). You'll get fantastic results out of any body (including you A100 I'd imagine) and only incremental improvement by getting a newer one - more resolution, better noise, better stabilization, cleaner sensor, etc.
Posted by Jay Ryser on November 10, 2008 at 8:17 AM
I moved up from the a100 to the a700, and I'm very satisfied with the switch. The IQ isn't THAT different between the 2 (although much lower noise and better high ISO performance with the a700, particularly after the v4 firmware update).
I've been considering the a900, but for what I mostly do (wildlife) the a700 is a near perfect camera for me.
I don't think you'd be disappointed with either one.
Discussion
5 repliesFrom one Harold to another you couldn't go wrong with either camera in my opinion. I own the A-100 and there are two or three other members who use it or have upgraded from it to the A-700 here. Here is an article that might help you decide.
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2008/10/16/do-you-really-need-an-alpha-900/
Harold
Guy
Anyway, I'd suggest sticking with the system you have unless you can find a good reason to switch (i.e. you really need some feature/lens/performance option that Sony doesn't have). You'll get fantastic results out of any body (including you A100 I'd imagine) and only incremental improvement by getting a newer one - more resolution, better noise, better stabilization, cleaner sensor, etc.
I've been considering the a900, but for what I mostly do (wildlife) the a700 is a near perfect camera for me.
I don't think you'd be disappointed with either one.