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I need help selecting between these two cameras...

post #1 of 22
8/10/12 at 4:01pm
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Hi OCN Members

I'm looking to get a good entry level DSLR camera as I am not rich enough to buy £1xxx Cameras.

Im absolutely new to DSLR's, I have no experience in them at all!Nada!so bear with me as I state my reasons and uses for the camera

First and foremost I'm willing to learn and i'm willing to become a "decent" photographer.
I want to take up photography as light fun hobby, nothing serious.
I would like a compact camera which I can change lenses.
I also would like a camera which as most of the options that a professional photographer would use but at the same time the option for simple use and moderate tweaking.

The cameras I am trying to decide between are the Sony Nex C3 and the Panasonic Lumix GF3

I don't know if i have chosen the right cameras for what i want to to but I like them both and they are in my budget.
I also want a whole rounded camera (Good images and good video recording, but mainly good images)

I would greatly appreciate your opinions, as i'm just stuck in a vicious circle at the moment!

Kind Regards

computerjunkie
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post #2 of 22
8/10/12 at 4:29pm
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Go to a store, handle both and let the ergonomics and control layout be your deciding factor. The NEX has a better (and slightly larger) sensor, but the GF3 has a better line of lenses to complement. Six and one, so let your hands do the work.
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post #3 of 22
8/10/12 at 4:31pm
Only way to really find out is to go to a store and play with them, if you can. Looks like they both have decent feature sets. The one big thing I noticed was that the sony has a bigger sensor. I would get it based off of that.

Sony: imaging Sensor : Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)

Pana: 17.3 x 13.0 mm (in 4:3 aspect ratio)


I also have a Sony Alpha a55 SLT DSLR and love it.
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post #4 of 22
8/10/12 at 4:43pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sub50hz View Post

Go to a store, handle both and let the ergonomics and control layout be your deciding factor. The NEX has a better (and slightly larger) sensor, but the GF3 has a better line of lenses to complement. Six and one, so let your hands do the work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by selluminis View Post

Only way to really find out is to go to a store and play with them, if you can. Looks like they both have decent feature sets. The one big thing I noticed was that the sony has a bigger sensor. I would get it based off of that.

Sony: imaging Sensor : Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)

Pana: 17.3 x 13.0 mm (in 4:3 aspect ratio)


I also have a Sony Alpha a55 SLT DSLR and love it.

Thank you both for your replies, i would have loved to actually go to the store but Im working most of the time...the only time im free is in the night...i watched some reviews on the cameras and they said the C3 is better to hold, I think il chose the sony.
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post #5 of 22
8/10/12 at 5:57pm
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I would order from somewhere with a good return policy, like B&H. That being said, if you can provide your budget, it might be possible to get you into an SLR -- it doesn't cost a whole lot to get a very capable camera nowadays.
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post #6 of 22
8/11/12 at 4:04pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sub50hz View Post

I would order from somewhere with a good return policy, like B&H. That being said, if you can provide your budget, it might be possible to get you into an SLR -- it doesn't cost a whole lot to get a very capable camera nowadays.

il definitely check the company before I order, thanks for the advice, any suggestions for the SLR's?
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post #7 of 22
8/11/12 at 4:12pm
Look at the sony alpha a55. It is last years model and you should be able to get it under 700.00. The feature set on this thing is awesome. Pics are supurbe!!! Video is great.

I was looking at the Canon rebel ti2/ti3 and the nikon d3100/5100 cameras. Went to a best buy to play around with them. The sales guy showed me the a55 alpha. Until then, I had not even considered a Sony. However, Sony has been a major player since the beginning. I played with it for a while and then left and did some research. Never looked back.....

Best buy actually had such a good deal on it I got it there and got a 75 - 200mm telephoto lens to go with it.
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post #8 of 22
8/11/12 at 5:35pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by selluminis View Post

Look at the sony alpha a55. It is last years model and you should be able to get it under 700.00. The feature set on this thing is awesome. Pics are supurbe!!! Video is great.

I was looking at the Canon rebel ti2/ti3 and the nikon d3100/5100 cameras. Went to a best buy to play around with them. The sales guy showed me the a55 alpha. Until then, I had not even considered a Sony. However, Sony has been a major player since the beginning. I played with it for a while and then left and did some research. Never looked back.....

Best buy actually had such a good deal on it I got it there and got a 75 - 200mm telephoto lens to go with it.
looking at the specification sheet of the camera it looks great! but its way above my budget worriedsmiley.gif
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post #9 of 22
8/11/12 at 5:38pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by selluminis View Post

However, Sony has been a major player since the beginning.

False. Sony took what was left of Minolta and consumerized the hell out of their entire product line after the a900.
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post #10 of 22
8/11/12 at 6:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by selluminis View Post

Video is great. .

false. video is mediocre. only sony cameras that have good video are their prosumer cameras, brodcast xdcams, and their cine cameras. DSLR not so much for video from the sony department. sony is a major player in professional video but not for consumer video
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