Sony or Nikon or Canon or Pentax?

Sony or Nikon or Canon or Pentax? - 1

Okay… WtF?

Depends on what you are comfortable with and any lenses you currently have. I shoot Nikon, as does one of my brothers. Two of my brothers shoot Canon and one shoots Sony. Family gatherings tend to get competitive, but we each have reasons to use and stick with our own choices.

Sony seems to be leading the way with mirrorless and low-light ability. They bought Minolta/Konica's technology and are now pursuing their own course, different from any of the traditional camera companies.
Nikon has a wide range from novice to pro cameras and lenses, and has support for older lenses from their 35mm film days. You'll find Nikon cameras on the International Space Station.
Canon dominates in sports photography (see the white lenses on the sidelines.) and has great video capability.
Pentax has image stabilization built-in to the camera bodies and is an economical alternative for many.

Which one is best? You have to decide that. Handle various models in your price range. Decide what types of photos excite you. View what these cameras are capable of here.

Oh, and remember, when you go to Best Buy or any camera shop, the sellers there get "perks" for pushing different brands and models (I used to work retail in a camera shop), so take their "advice" as just advice and not gospel.

Want some detailed reviews? Go here.
http://www.dpreview.com/...sort=brand
Hope this helps!

Are you really sure you want a bunch of total strangers telling you how to spend your money?

Is it you can't decide between the entry level digital cameras sold be each manufacturer?

Are you aware that Sony does no longer make a digital SLR, only Nikon, Canon and Pentax make them. Sony makes SLT cameras which have electronic viewfinders which can become problematic if you intend to shoot sports or any action.

George is correct about certain brands give "perks" when a sales person sells one of their cameras and this is a very good reason to independently decide for yourself which camera is best for your needs.

After you have visited the websites of those camera makers and have taken excellent notes, visit the DP Review website and read the professional reviews to get a less biased opinion on each camera's features.

By the time you have done that, you should have a much better idea which camera system is best for you and your specific needs.

I might tell you to buy a Nikon D810. Max may tell you to buy a Canon 5Ds and Don might tell you to buy the Pentax S-2, but with no one suggesting any Sony's since all three of us shoot sports. In the end you really need to make your own choice

Well I've always shot Nikon as far as I know, so I'm vauge on how the canon and Pentax and other brands work. But if your beginning suggest the Nikon D3100, about $247 retail, 14 MP which really soesnt matter, and it handles pretty well in low light situations.

With dSLRs you can choose any. With mirrorless, Sony is the best among the four. Fujifilm is better. With bridge cameras, Pentax and Sony are better. For point-and-shoot, Sony is great along with Ricoh, the parent label of Pentax, and Canon.

These manufacturers each make literally hundreds of cameras of all different types and formats from cheap point and shoots, to bridge cameras, compacts, to entry level DSLRs, professional grade DLSRs and mirrorless systems - some are excellent, some are mediocre, and some are total crap. Which specific ones do you mean?

Nah, skip those. Treat yourself to a Leica.

Start at the top, Hasseblad…

Well for ONCE someone has the choices right! Now your next job is to go out and:
1. Find the entry level camera (that would be the most economical (cheapest) in the line and is always the first camera listed on the site.
2. Write down the name and model number along with the lens that comes with it (usually the 18-to-55mm is the best)
3. Go out and find these cameras! ( I had to travel one hour to find Pentax, which I ultimately choose as my camera). Handle the cameras and view through them, The camera that has the best to locate controls and easiest to see through (actually seeing through the viewfinder is MY FIRST requirement).
I settled on Pentax for the following reasons: 1viewfinder s mentioned. 2. Stabilization in the camera body rather than each lens, 3.Lenses from all past Pentax DSLR's AND into the film era would fit the Pentax. This meant I could possible pick up (like a mint 100mm macro lens for less than half of list price) lenses at better prices, used in top condition!

This is how I buy into a "system" of cameras. Hope it helps you!

I'd take Pentax, but it's not up to me.

If you can't work it out for yourself, you aren't ready.