Sony A58 DSLR with 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses $721.65 @JBHIFI, 20MP, 15 Point AF, 5fps, IS

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JB Hi-Fi

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  Sydneyian on 25/07/2013 - 11:00

  -7

  Cheaper here…
  http://www.graysonline.com/retail/bn-slta57y/cameras/new-son…

  649$ with 12 months Sony warranty!

  • 

    mooreshady on 25/07/2013 - 11:01

    Grays is A57.

    JB is A58.

    • 

      jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 11:03

      That's correct Grays is A57 and JB is A58, can we please have the your hasty negative vote removed???

    • 

      TMD9 on 25/07/2013 - 11:14

      +2

      A57 is the better camera, good deal there compared to what I paid 6 months ago.

  • 

    jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 11:17

    Sydneyian please remove your negative vote as per below

    • 

      Sydneyian on 25/07/2013 - 13:15

      Sorry, I think I overlooked! These are different models.

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  buneyha on 25/07/2013 - 11:37

  +1

  How does this compare with the canon 60d which I bought just last night? :s

  • 

    jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 12:15

    +3

    Both the 60D and A58 are quite comparable. The key differences are:

    • 60D is 18MP vs 20MP on the A58

    • the Sony SLT has super quick autofocus vs the slower traditional SLR technologies

    • A58 and all Sony DSLR/DSLT cameras has in-body Image stabilisation so you can use any lens and still get IS, 60D don't have builin IS. IS is on the more expensive lenses and this applies for all Canons.

    • Liveview on 60D (and Canon and Nikon) in general) is very slow using contrast detection AF which isn't useable in normal uses except landscape on tripod. Sony uses SLT technology which has phase detection autofocus in liveview and is super quick (same as viewfinder)

    • Canon APS-C sensor size (22.30 x 14.90mm) is smaller then that of Sony and Nikon (23.7 x 15.6mm). Generally the larger the sensor size the better the image quality especially in low light

    • the Sony has autofocus in video where as Canon don't or they generally very slow and unreliable

    • A58 has newer and better sensor capturing better image quality, sharper images and better colours. I think the 60D is 4 years old now or somewhere around there and is due for a replacement soon

    • 60D has 9 point AF, A58 has 15 point AF

    • Sony uses SLT which does not have flipping mirror so you don't get mirror shakes and blurry images. In traditional SLR (Nikon/Canon) when the mirrror flips up to take the shot, the camera is unable to focus and you'll see blackout in the screen, the Sony don't have this problem they can continue to autofocus in burst modes and normal shooting.

    • Sony uses SLT which is a translucent mirror so you do lose about 0.3 of an f stop of light but because it's digital and with better sensor the camera is able to compensate for this so not really an issue in terms of image quality

    • both the 60D and A58 can do 5fps at full resolution

    • A58 has other features that I won't go into but you get the extra 55-200mm which is quite handy if you wanted a zoom lens. I think the A58 offers better value for money but it's your call. Hope you don't regret buying the 60D now.

    Cheers

    • 

      bioxeed on 25/07/2013 - 12:55

      +1

      Another thing to consider is simply how it feels in your hand. I found the lower end Canon gear terrible to hold comfortably. The Sony was by far the best in this regard. With the Nikon gear being roughly in the middle.

      At this price I'd probably go the Sony.

    • 

      Chongy288 on 29/07/2013 - 10:25

      oh my.. rub it in that canon was the wrong choice..

  • 

    mooreshady on 25/07/2013 - 12:33

    Are you photo-enthusiast? lol…

    If not, I would like to save 90 dollars or spend on accessories :)

    • 

      bioxeed on 25/07/2013 - 12:57

      +1

      The cheaper Canon kit was only with the 18-55mm Lens while this also gives you the 55-200mm as well. Worth the difference imo. The 60D twin lens kits were $200+ more than this.

  • 

    cheepwun on 25/07/2013 - 20:27

    • Battery life on the 60D is much better (optical viewfinder doesn't require battery).
    • Settings can be viewed on the top LCD on the 60D, rather than using the higher-battery-wastage screen or electronic viewfinder.
    • 60D has an optical viewfinder, which is very different to Sony's electronic viewfinder. An electronic viewfinder can basically show anything an LCD can (great), but it isn't as good at resolving detail of the scene like an optical one can, particularly low-contrast scenes of shadow or highlight. In contrast, an optical viewfinder is less flexible at displaying anything on the screen (like an electronic viewfinder can show, including what the sensor sees and processes), but still shows all the main shooting parameters.
    • 60D has aging sensor technology compared to any new camera coming out now (it was released in late-ish 2010) but is still a decent bit of enthusiast kit
    • 60D has a metal lens mount; if I'm not mistaken the A58 has gone plastic if my memory serves me.
    • A58's screen can be tilted toward you without pulling it out to the left (it can't be pulled to the left). 60D's can be tilted and swivelled (but first it must be swivelled out to the left).
    • lots more pros and cons…depending on what you are after. Both are capable picture-taking machines.
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  asa79 on 25/07/2013 - 11:49

  -1

  A58 is cheaper than A57

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  ASHGOON on 25/07/2013 - 12:53

  just fyi - had a look at this - and have to say was turned off immediately by the build. its all plastic lens mount which i can't believe. it just feels so wrong in-hand, and so all the features in the world couldn't get me to switch to this. hope this isn't a sign of things to come..

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 25/07/2013 - 13:14

    hope this isn't a sign of things to come..

    It's an entry level dslr. Your expectations were off. What other manufacturer has top metal build quality for their cheapest line of dslrs?

    • 

      Cupcount80 on 25/07/2013 - 13:50

      +1

      Pentax's latest current entry-level DSLRs are all weather-sealed with metal chassis. :)

    • 

      cheepwun on 25/07/2013 - 21:23

      What other manufacturer has top metal build quality for their cheapest line of dslrs?

      All entry-level DSLRs I've seen have metal lens mounts. Except this one.

  • 

    jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 14:01

    If you want metal mount then get the A57, A65, A77 or the A99 instead.

  • 

    jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 15:39

    +1

    If you want good image quality get the Sony, if you want ok image quality get the Canon

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  jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 14:14

  +1

  Forgot to add to the list above, Canon and Nikon uses Optical View Finder (OVF) while Sony uses Electronic View Finder (EVF). I find that the EVF is extremely helpful in that what you see in the display is what you get in your photo. Every changes you make to aperture, shutter speed, white balance, EV compensation … you will imediately see the affect it has on your photo inside the EVF before you even take the shot so you would be able to get the perfect photo in one shot instead of 10 shots as with the traditional OVF - which is a god send in my opinion. You also get live histogram and depth of field preview without taking your eye off the view finder and risk missing a perfect moment. The EVF is tremedously helpful for a beginner learning about photography I my opinion.

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  songfish on 25/07/2013 - 14:33

  Sony has the best EVF but it is still has some small lag from when you put your eye to the viewfinder to the EVF turning on which sometimes frustrates the hell out of me.
  Also Sony's JPEG engine is not as good in my opinion to that of Canons or Nikons.

  Still. Not too bad for aus stock.

  • 

    jfkingdom1 on 25/07/2013 - 14:38

    I know the latest firmware has improved alot, have you upgraded yours?

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  Geewhizz on 25/07/2013 - 18:45

  As already mentioned, most consider the A58 to be anything BUT an improvement on the A57 - plastic mount is one of the main drawbacks.

  Compliments of LaTerrible who posted the link last week, A57 at Grays Online for $647 - I ordered mine on the weekend and it has been sitting at the post office awaiting collection for the past couple of days.

  http://www.graysonline.com/retail/bn-slta57y/cameras/new-son…

  • 

    jfkingdom1 on 26/07/2013 - 09:19

    Hmmm I didn't see the A57 posted on here. Searched but it's not coming up. Do you want to post it?

    • 

      Geewhizz on 26/07/2013 - 16:12

      He/she mentioned it in this thread. I'm really not sure why they didn't post it as a bargain, and was tempted to do so myself, except that it wasn't my 'find' to post.

      http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/109060