Yet another set of thoughts on the A550.

I think you misinterpreted the point of the story. I am sorry I brought it up. I wasn't taking a dig at any camera - honestly. The sales rep appeared willing enough to show him the sony - perhaps the sales rep has heard that many times perhaps not. The sales rep may did make an attempt at showing two different cameras with their functionality only when asked. Probably not the way I would have handled if I were him but on the surface it seemed like a fair thing to do based on the limited knowledge the customer actually had. I didn't eavedrop on the rest of the conversation - the customer may well be looking for a P&S replacement that looks cooler and the sony probably would be best for them or the customer would want live view as he wants to take pictures of his stamp collection using liveview in which case any camera with that feature would likely do. Perhaps the customer bought something (any brand) perhaps not. The customer was simply confused by the marketing and the definition of the phrase "actually works" is vague at best.

again, sorry for sharing...it was sincerely not a dig at any equipment - simply a comment on marketing and how it can go wrong.

realgeek said:

So let me tell you what I think happened next. The customer went home with a Nikon D5000, having been shown that Live View "works". Then he starts trying to use it in real life and realizes that it stinks. He either concludes that the sales agent lied to him, or that there is no such thing as usable Live View because this camera, which the sales agent says "works", doesn't work.

Either way, he would have been happier with a Sony alpha.

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I don't think your above statement is fair - neither you nor I have enough information to come to that or any other conclusion.

realgeek said:

But he won't get the chance because of the bias against Sony. Or, should I say, bias for Canikon.

And don't get me wrong: I had the same bias myself. I had a Nikon D40x before I traded up to a Sony A300 for one reason and one reason only -- the truly usable Live View!

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realgeek said:

Well THAT is a good reason to carry the A700 around! I was just saying Program Shift is not a good reason.

What I'd really ask you is this: why are you carrying around the A550, too, when the A700 takes care of most of your shooting needs?

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Because sometimes I need the liveview...

And also A550 works better with flash and auto ISO. A700 often choose ISO 1600 even if my subject is 1 meter away. A550 choose ISO 200, and use a higher setting only when the subject is further away.

Ok realgeek - I have the a550 in my hands, have been toying a bit with it, and the darned thing looks very promising. Well buildt with a feature set that will more than satisfy me, responsive, impressive live view, even more impressive focus help - and image quality amongst the very best! This is obviously a camera capable of almost anything, and I look forward to having a lot of fun using it. I bought it mainly because of the bad DPreview, but this is absolutely NOT a camera to dislike!

Buzz Lightsecond said:

Ok realgeek - I have the a550 in my hands, have been toying a bit with it, and the darned thing looks very promising. Well buildt with a feature set that will more than satisfy me, responsive, impressive live view, even more impressive focus help - and image quality amongst the very best! This is obviously a camera capable of almost anything, and I look forward to having a lot of fun using it. I bought it mainly because of the bad DPreview, but this is absolutely NOT a camera to dislike!

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Enjoy it! It's really quite awesome. I need to find a way to get more time away from work and family to play with it more ....

Agree - should be happy snapping instead of happy working...

Don't get me wrong realgeek. What i meant is your "entry level camera on steroids " conclusion made my day. I can't stop ROFLOL. I like the A550 but would like to stick to my old A300 for a little while.

and it seems some guy named Ionian got testicles problems.

realgeek said:

caddie said:

realgeek said:

realgeek wrote:
entry level camera on steroids >

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Is it such a ridiculous conclusion? It doesn't have MLU etc., so it can't be an enthusiast's camera. But it has such great performance, people keep thinking it is, or at least should be.

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--
Jack
A300 jpeg shooter

caddie said:

Don't get me wrong realgeek. What i meant is your "entry level camera on steroids " conclusion made my day. I can't stop ROFLOL. I like the A550 but would like to stick to my old A300 for a little while.

and it seems some guy named Ionian got testicles problems.

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Okay. I thought that might have been what you meant. But Ionian's comment made me think otherwise.

realgeek said:

Barry Fitzgerald said:

Problem here is consoles are not cameras, yes the wiii is unique, that is it selling point. Sony are not unique with their cameras, they simply copy other things (and badly in many cases too)

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Really? What other DSLR has usable Live View?

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The G1/GH1/GF1 are not stricly DSLRs, but can for many users (especially live view fans) substitute a DSLR and they have usable (fast AF) Live View. Few and expensive lenses are a drawback with those cameras, but they offer a fully articulating LCD, EVF, video (bar G1) and compact size, and, I expect, without these cameras to compete with, the Sony models would sell better.

KEITH-C said:

I've met people who tape over the Sony icon on the front of their camera out of embarrassment but never seen anyone tape over unwanted buttons !

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I have heard before that someone knew about this.... personally I don't know anyone who even has a Sony DSLR other than me, do that doesn't count, really.... BUT, if they really are doing that, why the heck don't they just buy a Canon? That is the most infantile thing I have recall hearing about in ages!

If a person wants to tape over "SONY", they should get some thing else ASAP: they need to buy into the new brand!!! OBVIOUSLY, the Sony camera can't take any pictures they like.

I have two SONY DSLR's... they take pretty good pics...

Some people are so pathetic!

Sheesh!!!!

--
Gil
Sardis, BC
Canada

Gil Knutson said:

I have two SONY DSLR's... they take pretty good pics...

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I know it is the USER who is the problem if the images I get are not satisfactory!!!

--
Gil
Sardis, BC
Canada

handrian said:

.... A700 can focus no matter how low is the light.

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You must have a better one than I do... mine if not bad, but there are LOTS of cases where it will not focus.... hunts endlessly!

Especially with my Tamron 70-300.... I had a Sigma 70-300, but the A700 stripped the gears, and I haven't had the money to get a Sony 70-300G yet.....

{ I lust for the 80-400, but know I will NEVER get that idea past The Little Woman. Heck, I have had my A700 for over a year now, and not told her any different! She hasn't noticed anything to wonder about..... }

--
Gil
Sardis, BC
Canada

You know I'm not against A550 from the very first beginning.

and I told my wife about your steroids conclusion but she didn't think it's funny.

Got idea what does this has to do with testicles? Must be Ionian's own problem.

Enjoy your new camera realgeek. Post some pics. We've seen enough of Justin's

realgeek said:

caddie said:

Don't get me wrong realgeek. What i meant is your "entry level camera on steroids " conclusion made my day. I can't stop ROFLOL. I like the A550 but would like to stick to my old A300 for a little while.

and it seems some guy named Ionian got testicles problems.

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Okay. I thought that might have been what you meant. But Ionian's comment made me think otherwise.

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--
Jack
A300 jpeg shooter

ShawnCo said:

... I just think sony is over saturating the market with entry level bodies. Their marketing people are hoping that if you throw enough bodies out there you are bound to get more market share. Perhaps they are right or perhaps not. Time will tell.

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Yes, it somehow seems to give me the message that they really have no idea as to what people want, and they are hoping by shotgunning it, that one of the models will score a bulls' eye. Maybe I am wrong, but that is how it seems.

Are you awake and aware, Sony?????

All these models are just confusing the whole situation, IMHO.

--
Gil
Sardis, BC
Canada