Sony Alpha DSLR-A100K Camera with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

I've used a film SLR for most of my photographic life. Then a few years ago I got into digital, and have had two Nikon Coolpix (including the splendid twisty-bodied 4500) and then an Olympus semi-SLR (the 8080 wide zoom, with bend-out LCD screen). Someone stole the Olympus. What should I do? I was very tempted by the Sony DSC-R1, with it's live twisty LCD and excellent lens. And there is tremendous competition now amongst SLR suppliers, with new announcments from all the majors. But I chose the Sony, and after five days and many hundreds of pictures I'm very pleased with the camera. You can read about its technical performance at [...] What I can add is that this excellent performance is easy and inviting to make use of. The focussing screen is clear, crisp, and bright. I find I often want to use manual focus, and can switch back and forth from manual to auto by simply moving a switch. And there's a depth-of-field preview easy to hand. These controls are typical- what you want is to hand, and works logically (at least, as I expect). With the Olympus after a year's use I was still going back to the manual to find how to do things. The Sony feels familiar after five days. The camera feels good to hold- a good grip is a huge help with avoiding camera shake, which this camera helped further by an antishake system that works with all lenses. And then there are the twiddly bits- for example the fact that the autofocus switches on and the LCD switches off when I bring the camera to my eye (although I find the camera can mistake my chest for my eye when I have it round my neck), and that the LCD image stays upright whether you have the camera horizontal or vertical. These as well as the advantages you expect from this generation of DSLR- instant start-up, very quick reaction to pressing the button, and if you want it three frames a second until you've run out of space on the card (in .jpg). I was pleasantly surprised to find that the standard kit zoom gets you pretty close up to a flower or an insect, and does this at maximum zoom so that you don't find your shadow is interfering with the picture. My first "extra" has been a secondhand Minolta AF 1.7 50mm standard lens, which I have found excellent for snapping people indoors by available light (find your way round Minolta lenses for the Sony at [...] I miss the infra-red remote control supplied with the Olympus (there's a long and a short wired control for the Sony, but at large additional cost). And I'm sure I'll miss the ability to sight a picture down low or up high using a twisty LCD screen. And in some quiet "candid camera" situations the clunk of the mirror which is part of a true SLR can draw attention. But for me the advantages, starting with composing pictures on that fine focussing screen, far outweigh these losses.

I had this Camera as my first DSLR, it was fantastic. I used it all around the UK and took it with me when I took my motorbike all around Europe. I came off in poor conditions in the alps and there was condensation in the camera / lens but the camera was fine as it was well protected. I thought I was faced with a pricy bill when I made it from switzerland over to italy but I simply wore the camera bag around while I rode around and to my surprise to condensation cleared perfectly! So great build, Sony definitely make the best cameras with Carl Zeiss Optics and built in image stabilisation. The other makes seemed a bit plasticky and just didnt have the same quality as the Sony Cameras, not to mention the image stabilisation. My only complaint about the sony was that compared to newer models the screen isnt so clear especially in sunny conditions. But with this you will definitely learn how to use an SLR and take some great pictures.

The A100 is an excellent first camera, its a great camera for learning and beginners.This camera gives excellent results and the only issue I have found is ISO is only usable upto 800 unless you require grain in your photos. This camera is quite large which I find better having large hands and you feel like you are carrying a solid built camera.This camera is quite old now so it doesn't have many of the features of a modern camera such as live view but if you can with out that it still makes for an excellent DSLR.

five star

Bit late in posting feedback but oh my god I am definitely pleased with this camera. Arrived quickly (especially as I bought it not long before Christmas). Was even better than described (the camera and components were in pristine condition!) and my boyfriend (whom the gift was for) is so incredibly happy with it. Thankyou very much.

Sony have not suddenly discovered expertise in SLRs - they bought out Minolta. This camera benefits and builds on Minolta heritage and is exceptionally good for the price. I've also purchased a 75-300mm lens which completes the package. The downside - like all SLRs (except perhaps the Olympus offering) it's big and the case makes it bigger still. The cheap lenses are not great - although the Sony 75-300 was only £105 bought from SonyStyle in Taiwan. Also if you're out of practice with SLR photography after years of digital photography buy a book on the camera.

This camera is excellent and after having researched choices I am delighted to start my DSLR with this product very easy to use and is giving excellent pictures.

Ok firstly I didn't buy this camera from Amazon or the vendors who are selling this camera. However I've had this camera for years and it's still serving me well in 2018. This device doesn't have wifi, it doesn't have liveview, but what it has is great build quality, top battery life, I get about a 1,000 shots before recharge and built like a tank. One other thing I love is that when you turn the camera to portrait the menu turns into portrait to, which I've never seen on any other camera, this is a great feature. The pics are the one of my camera and the flower is an explore on Flickr from last week. At the price these vendors are asking for this camera, if people cant' afford new stuff and many people can't but are interested in photography, just buy this, it's a great machine.