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Sony Alpha or Canon EOS?

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Volvic

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Hey guys,

inb4: I am no native english speaker, so excuse gramatical mistakes or so.

To my "dilemma":

since May 2013 I own my very first DSLR, which is a Canon EOS 650D.

As I am no very decisive person, I had a very hard time on chosing my model.

I was torn between either the Canon 650D or the Sony Alpha A58.

The pivotal reason I didn't chose the Sony was the fact that there was no optical viewfinder, which was a kinda no-go for me, as I perceive a digital one as rather "cheap" and inauthentic for a true DSLR.

Yet, there were plenty of reasons I contemplated on buying it: first of all, I am no professional in photography which means that, in my personal case, I use the camera more for vacational and sponatneous images, rather than highly prepared professional photos (even though this is still an important point for me!!!). The fact that the image stabiliser was implemented in the Sony version, and that I wouldn't necessarily be dependant on a tripod (given the case of a quick vacation shoot whatsoever) was very appealing.

This might see m a bit stupid for many, but I also very much appreciated the fact that you could do panoramic shoots without being forced to edit multiple photos afterwards on the PC.

On the other hand, I was a bit worried that, with the Sony, my choice of lenses might be a bit narrowed and due to the fact that there are simply so many fantastic Canon etc. lenses out there I decided to go for the Canon at last (and bc of the optical viewfinder).

( http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-60mm-Objektiv-Filtergewinde/dp/B0008G2P72 - this one I found to be very interesting).

A recent little discussion with a friend of mine reminded me that I should be worrying about how bad my dslr was :P I've also read repeatedly that the EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) was rather a disappointment and I too had the feeling that my camera was even worse than my cousin's Canon 550d ("worse" images with same lens and settings).

This is why I wondered if I should be selling my Canon and getting one of the Sony Alphas : I thought about buying either the A58 (it's currently pretty cheap on Amazon :b), the A65 or the A77 (is the A77ii worth it?).

What do you guys think? Should I keep my Canon? I know, this is a bit much to answer to. At this point thank you for your patience to read all this :D

I would be looking forward to constructive responses.

Regards
 
Hi,

Its the Sony section.. so you will get both very positive Sony posts and maybe a few that are negative, some Sony people are just not happy.

I use a Canon 450D when I shoot deep space objects using a telescope. Canon has done a great job creating a software interface for people to leverage. Their sensors are adequate the Rebels tend to have a good year with a new sensor update then a bad year where the push the design one more year.

the current EVFs on the Sony A58/ A65 / A77 / A77II and FF on A99 are not when people think of for an EVF. I as someone who did not update my A700 for almost 6 years because I wasn't like the EVF idea or even first tests in the store. Ounce I realized what it could do I would not go back.

I recently looked at the A77II EVF and I am pretty sure many people would have a hard time telling it wasn't optical until it started giving them face detection and object tracking box or focus peaking (where the camera outlines the edges of what is in focus to help with manual focusing)

here is the rub.. while you can run tests and pixel peep in reality any modern DSLR is capable of taking great images. So if you are not seeing what you like.. it might be the settings you are using.. and you could buy a new camera and not see an improvement until you know why you are not happy.

SO think you will like the Sony designs.. but I would not buy one for the reason you gave.. It is most likely either how the images are being processed or maybe a lens issue that is affecting your images.. not the camera.. When you can get good images from the Canon.. then look at the Sony and see if you like the system better.
 
As K E said, changing camera won't significantly increase the image quality. A bit maybe with a newer sensor but nothing relevant. Maybe it's the lens, maybe the in-camera or post-processing, maybe the focus...

You shouldn't worry too much about A-mount lense unless you have specific needs (e.g. tilt-shift), there's a good catalog too.

In my opinion, the viewfinder is fundamental to the shooting experience. I find it much more important than features such as in-camera panorama. I prefer the EVF over a cheap OVF for shooting in the dark. In daylight it's not up to the level of an OVF but not far (and of course it has more features). Did you compare that specific EVF and that specific OVF in real life, or is it just, as you say, that you perceive the EVF as cheap? If it's just perception, give it a try for real. If you really prefer the OVF, don't replace something you like by something you don't.

The 650D may be only a small incremental update, but it's an incremental update on a solid camera. Nothing to worry about there (sorry, if your pictures aren't good enough, you can't blame the camera :-D ).

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/romainpontida/
 
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Volvic said:
Hey guys,

inb4: I am no native english speaker, so excuse gramatical mistakes or so.

To my "dilemma":

since May 2013 I own my very first DSLR, which is a Canon EOS 650D.

As I am no very decisive person, I had a very hard time on chosing my model.

I was torn between either the Canon 650D or the Sony Alpha A58.

The pivotal reason I didn't chose the Sony was the fact that there was no optical viewfinder, which was a kinda no-go for me, as I perceive a digital one as rather "cheap" and inauthentic for a true DSLR.

Yet, there were plenty of reasons I contemplated on buying it: first of all, I am no professional in photography which means that, in my personal case, I use the camera more for vacational and sponatneous images, rather than highly prepared professional photos (even though this is still an important point for me!!!). The fact that the image stabiliser was implemented in the Sony version, and that I wouldn't necessarily be dependant on a tripod (given the case of a quick vacation shoot whatsoever) was very appealing.

This might see m a bit stupid for many, but I also very much appreciated the fact that you could do panoramic shoots without being forced to edit multiple photos afterwards on the PC.

On the other hand, I was a bit worried that, with the Sony, my choice of lenses might be a bit narrowed and due to the fact that there are simply so many fantastic Canon etc. lenses out there I decided to go for the Canon at last (and bc of the optical viewfinder).

( http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-60mm-Objektiv-Filtergewinde/dp/B0008G2P72 - this one I found to be very interesting).

A recent little discussion with a friend of mine reminded me that I should be worrying about how bad my dslr was :P I've also read repeatedly that the EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) was rather a disappointment and I too had the feeling that my camera was even worse than my cousin's Canon 550d ("worse" images with same lens and settings).

This is why I wondered if I should be selling my Canon and getting one of the Sony Alphas : I thought about buying either the A58 (it's currently pretty cheap on Amazon :b), the A65 or the A77 (is the A77ii worth it?).

What do you guys think? Should I keep my Canon? I know, this is a bit much to answer to. At this point thank you for your patience to read all this :D

I would be looking forward to constructive responses.

Regards
Click to expand...
Hi,

Have you notice your 650D even don't have custom kelvin white balance?

Canon & Nikon are really big brands also in market from last 100 years. you cant beat them but in case of Canon their only one digit cameras (5D, 6D, 7D) or somehow two digit (60D, 50D, 70D) are good once other digit once are rather useless in terms of budget, function and quality if you compare them with Nikon, Sony, Pentax etc.

if you get more than what you get it extra money only fool will invest.

Nikon 5300, 7000, 7100 | Sony A57, 77, 77II | Pentax K series

these are many option than Canon. These few Sony will provide you more satisfaction than Canon but make sure which glass u using, any camera body will give a shitty result if attached with cheap glass.
 
Volvic said:
Hey guys,

inb4: I am no native english speaker, so excuse gramatical mistakes or so.

To my "dilemma":

since May 2013 I own my very first DSLR, which is a Canon EOS 650D.

As I am no very decisive person, I had a very hard time on chosing my model.

I was torn between either the Canon 650D or the Sony Alpha A58.

The pivotal reason I didn't chose the Sony was the fact that there was no optical viewfinder, which was a kinda no-go for me, as I perceive a digital one as rather "cheap" and inauthentic for a true DSLR.
Click to expand...
if its a no-go why are you back here looking at it again?

its not cheap and A58 isn't a DSLR, its a DSLT.

By the optical viewfinder is no-go for me especially the ones you get with cheap canons. You are better off with a nice EVF of A58 or A77.
Volvic said:
Yet, there were plenty of reasons I contemplated on buying it: first of all, I am no professional in photography which means that, in my personal case, I use the camera more for vacational and sponatneous images, rather than highly prepared professional photos (even though this is still an important point for me!!!). The fact that the image stabiliser was implemented in the Sony version, and that I wouldn't necessarily be dependant on a tripod (given the case of a quick vacation shoot whatsoever) was very appealing.

This might see m a bit stupid for many, but I also very much appreciated the fact that you could do panoramic shoots without being forced to edit multiple photos afterwards on the PC.
Click to expand...
not stupid at all, its a brilliant feature and works very well in a lot of situations.
Volvic said:
On the other hand, I was a bit worried that, with the Sony, my choice of lenses might be a bit narrowed and due to the fact that there are simply so many fantastic Canon etc. lenses out there I decided to go for the Canon at last (and bc of the optical viewfinder).
Click to expand...
but seeing that you are not a professional how many of those canon lenses do you want? Sony covers most standard lenses/focal ranges. Canon and nikon provide for some niches which Sony doesn't cover or have the market to do that. Why do you care canon or nikon have a huge selection, you only need to care if a manufacture have the lenses you want and may want in the future.
Volvic said:
( http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-60mm-Objektiv-Filtergewinde/dp/B0008G2P72 - this one I found to be very interesting).

A recent little discussion with a friend of mine reminded me that I should be worrying about how bad my dslr was :P I've also read repeatedly that the EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) was rather a disappointment and I too had the feeling that my camera was even worse than my cousin's Canon 550d ("worse" images with same lens and settings).

This is why I wondered if I should be selling my Canon and getting one of the Sony Alphas : I thought about buying either the A58 (it's currently pretty cheap on Amazon :b), the A65 or the A77 (is the A77ii worth it?).
Click to expand...
A77m2 is worth it if you need its AF features mainly. If not A77 is good enough. If you don't have that much money A58 is pretty good as you already know.
Volvic said:
What do you guys think? Should I keep my Canon? I know, this is a bit much to answer to. At this point thank you for your patience to read all this :D
Click to expand...
canon do have some great bodies (my dad had 60D) but I think those are enthusiast or higher end models. if you are looking at beginner-mid level models I'd advice something like pentax (K-50) for DSLR or A58 for SLT.

I don't know how good or bad your 650D is but last time I looked at canon when I was looking for beginner cameras I wasn't impressed (I ended up buying sony A57)
Volvic said:
I would be looking forward to constructive responses.

Regards
Click to expand...
 
If you can't get good pictures with a Canon 650 you aren't going to get good pictures with any Sony either. 90% of a good picture (or bad picture) is the photographer. I have yet to meet ANY photographer that does not have room for improvement! Any photographer that tells you they have mastered the art of photography and don't have any room to improve doesn't know what they are talking about!

Read up on the basics of photography and practice, practice, practice.

I recently spent a week in Yellowstone national park and shot many pictures with my brother in law. Every evening we would review our pictures. I introduced him the the rule of thirds (Put the subject on the intersection of the grid lines that divide the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically) and he was immediately impressed by how much better his photos turned out.

One big advantage Sony has on their cameras is In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). This lets Sony photographers be a little more lazy about properly holding their a camera still with any lens they are using by counter acting the shakes from the photographer. Canon offers many lenses with stabilization built into the lens (OIS). If you have a kit lens that came with your Canon you probably do not have OIS in the lens. If you are getting photos that aren't sharp from your Canon you might be experiencing motion blur. You can reduce motion blur by practicing holding your camera steady (elbows in against your chest) and using a bit faster shutter speed. Motion blur is worse at higher magnifications. Photographers use tripods to hold the camera steady when they are using high magnification lenses.
 
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Thanks for these constructive answers.

I've put my question into wrong words it seems, the main problem isn't necessarily that my images are super bad or not sharp at all - they're fine , as far as I can tell :b

It is rather the options Sony offers, which are quite interesting for a beginner like me: the body-integrated stabiliser, the more informative view finder being instructive (maybe the OLED EVF of the A77 are even closer to a OVF?) and the panoramic shoot option. I rather consider Canons/Nikons, as for having the OVF, as "classic" but also mid to high-range.

I think I am going to check out the Sony my friend will be purchasing soon and see if I'd prefer it over my current Canon. I just wonder about how DSLR-like a Sony SLT might actually feel.

Thanks again for your patience, you've been very helpful indeed.

Kind regards.
 
I see you've posted the same in the Canon forum as well.

It pains me, as a long-time Canon photographer, to admit that I think you've received more balanced replies in the Sony forum. This remark is true for what I'm concerned, but I take it as a light-hearted issue, therefore I will add a :)
Volvic said:
The pivotal reason I didn't chose the Sony was the fact that there was no optical viewfinder, which was a kinda no-go for me, as I perceive a digital one as rather "cheap" and inauthentic for a true DSLR.
Click to expand...
While I am an optical viewfinder aficionado myself, I would say that the one in the Canon Rebel series is not great at all. Whether it can be considered better or worse than modern electronic ones is a matter of preferences, but to me the lines are blurred until you move to full frame cameras.
Volvic said:
Yet, there were plenty of reasons I contemplated on buying it: first of all, I am no professional in photography which means that, in my personal case, I use the camera more for vacational and sponatneous images, rather than highly prepared professional photos (even though this is still an important point for me!!!). The fact that the image stabiliser was implemented in the Sony version, and that I wouldn't necessarily be dependant on a tripod (given the case of a quick vacation shoot whatsoever) was very appealing.

This might see m a bit stupid for many, but I also very much appreciated the fact that you could do panoramic shoots without being forced to edit multiple photos afterwards on the PC.

On the other hand, I was a bit worried that, with the Sony, my choice of lenses might be a bit narrowed and due to the fact that there are simply so many fantastic Canon etc. lenses out there I decided to go for the Canon at last (and bc of the optical viewfinder).
Click to expand...
For the type of usage you state, the Sony lens selection should be plenty. Canon does have the advantage in a number of niches and in the fact that it is easier to buy/sell used lenses (with the caveat that the latter is true-er for high-end lenses)

Volvic said:
( http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-60mm-Objektiv-Filtergewinde/dp/B0008G2P72 - this one I found to be very interesting).
Click to expand...
That's a well-regarded lens indeed

Volvic said:
A recent little discussion with a friend of mine reminded me that I should be worrying about how bad my dslr was :P I've also read repeatedly that the EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) was rather a disappointment and I too had the feeling that my camera was even worse than my cousin's Canon 550d ("worse" images with same lens and settings).
Click to expand...
Unless your friend is shooting with better lenses, and assuming your 650D / lens is not defective, as many have stated it must be something you do either while taking photos or in post. The 550D and 650D have pretty much the same sensor and with similar lenses in normal circumstances should deliver pretty much the same results.

Volvic said:
This is why I wondered if I should be selling my Canon and getting one of the Sony Alphas : I thought about buying either the A58 (it's currently pretty cheap on Amazon :b), the A65 or the A77 (is the A77ii worth it?).

What do you guys think? Should I keep my Canon? I know, this is a bit much to answer to. At this point thank you for your patience to read all this :D
Click to expand...
As most people in both for a have told you, invest into yourself first, meaning improve your technique and knowledge. If then you will still find your 650D limiting, by all means consider either buying better lenses or moving to better Canon bodies or switching to another brand. Switching should be relatively painless at this point for you but it won't solve your current problems (unless, as said, your camera is actually defective in some way)
 
I have the same impression that people in the Canon Forum respond in a more biased way (doulbeposted because I wanted to see how answers might alter with a different basis) , but I am still thankful that they've put the effort to answer at all.

As you mentioned already, I now plan on keeping my Canon for now (unless the testing of my friend's Sony utterly overwhelmes me) in order to learn the basis of photography at first, which is probably, as you guys already said, way more important than switching camera every day. Yet I might consider purchasing a second camera in the future, this time maybe an SLT by Sony and, as technology rapidly changes, I hope that the EVF will have experienced enough changes that i won't be missing an OVF too much^^.

Thanks again for answering :b
 
Volvic said:
Hey guys,

inb4: I am no native english speaker, so excuse gramatical mistakes or so.

To my "dilemma":

since May 2013 I own my very first DSLR, which is a Canon EOS 650D.

As I am no very decisive person, I had a very hard time on chosing my model.

I was torn between either the Canon 650D or the Sony Alpha A58.

The pivotal reason I didn't chose the Sony was the fact that there was no optical viewfinder, which was a kinda no-go for me, as I perceive a digital one as rather "cheap" and inauthentic for a true DSLR.

Yet, there were plenty of reasons I contemplated on buying it: first of all, I am no professional in photography which means that, in my personal case, I use the camera more for vacational and sponatneous images, rather than highly prepared professional photos (even though this is still an important point for me!!!). The fact that the image stabiliser was implemented in the Sony version, and that I wouldn't necessarily be dependant on a tripod (given the case of a quick vacation shoot whatsoever) was very appealing.

This might see m a bit stupid for many, but I also very much appreciated the fact that you could do panoramic shoots without being forced to edit multiple photos afterwards on the PC.

On the other hand, I was a bit worried that, with the Sony, my choice of lenses might be a bit narrowed and due to the fact that there are simply so many fantastic Canon etc. lenses out there I decided to go for the Canon at last (and bc of the optical viewfinder).

( http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-60mm-Objektiv-Filtergewinde/dp/B0008G2P72 - this one I found to be very interesting).

A recent little discussion with a friend of mine reminded me that I should be worrying about how bad my dslr was :P I've also read repeatedly that the EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) was rather a disappointment and I too had the feeling that my camera was even worse than my cousin's Canon 550d ("worse" images with same lens and settings).

This is why I wondered if I should be selling my Canon and getting one of the Sony Alphas : I thought about buying either the A58 (it's currently pretty cheap on Amazon :b), the A65 or the A77 (is the A77ii worth it?).

What do you guys think? Should I keep my Canon? I know, this is a bit much to answer to. At this point thank you for your patience to read all this :D

I would be looking forward to constructive responses.

Regards
Click to expand...
There is no BAD camera in this world...only the one who uses it.

If thinking of upgrading, then a better lens would probably do so, like Sigma 18-35f1.8. If you really want to upgrade your camera, the EOS6D is there.
 
Volvic said:
I have the same impression that people in the Canon Forum respond in a more biased way (doulbeposted because I wanted to see how answers might alter with a different basis) , but I am still thankful that they've put the effort to answer at all.

As you mentioned already, I now plan on keeping my Canon for now (unless the testing of my friend's Sony utterly overwhelmes me) in order to learn the basis of photography at first, which is probably, as you guys already said, way more important than switching camera every day. Yet I might consider purchasing a second camera in the future, this time maybe an SLT by Sony and, as technology rapidly changes, I hope that the EVF will have experienced enough changes that i won't be missing an OVF too much^^.

Thanks again for answering :b
Click to expand...
Sony has some neat toys and some very useful functions.

I consider IBIS and essential function. For me the electronic viewfinder greatly enhances my photography experience. I love the focus peeking the EVF allows. I also love the quick easy focus magnification. The electronic level is a neat toy that I find very useful. I use the in camera HDR quite a bit for static scenes usually without people (people move too much).

I consider the in camera panorama mode a bit of a frivolous toy. I have taken many of them and enjoy doing so but what do you do after you take them? They fill up the center quarter of a regular monitor leaving a lot of blank space around them. Yes, you can print them but they are still a bit of an awkward format. In other words the best use of the in camera panorama is to wow Canon/Nikon users. :-)

It took less than a week at Yellowstone national park to convert my brother in law from a Canon user to a Sony want to be. Yes, he was wowed with the in camera panorama! :-) But his Canon rebel is 8 years old and his lenses are pretty long in the tooth. You have a great camera with the Canon, take the time and effort to learn its functionality and learn how to use its potential! :-)
 
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I think you're pretty harsh on a darn good camera. T4i has a lot going for it and white balance is pretty easy to fix, especially if you shoot RAW. Lack of K settings would be low on my list of priorities in choosing a camera.
 
I checked and it seems most "kit lenses" for the T4i ARE stabilized lenses. Is your current lens is a stabilized lens. If it is, considering the wide availability of stabilized lenses for Canon mount I'm not so sure the Sony in camera stabilization is a real advantage. In fact, the lack of in lens stabilization in 3rd party (Tamron & some Sigma) A mount lenses may be a disadvantage in not giving you a stabilized viewfinder.
 
Volvic said:
As you mentioned already, I now plan on keeping my Canon for now (unless the testing of my friend's Sony utterly overwhelmes me) in order to learn the basis of photography at first, which is probably, as you guys already said, way more important than switching camera every day.
Click to expand...
A fair choice. It should be good enough for you to obtain satisfactory pictures until you know what's really important for you. Then you can decide whether your Canon is fine or whether you want something else. If feature X or Y is important then so be it, you just want to be sure that if you switch you won't regret it.
 
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