Do Sony SLR cameras suck?

I have a gift certificate to the Sony store for a couple hundred bucks and i've been thinking about buying an slr camera for my dad for his upcoming bday. does sony make crappy slr cameras? i know nikon and canon are probably the two biggest, most reliable brands when it comes to cameras...

No, they do not suck. Just not as popular.

Look at DSC-RX100 also.

They do lack some pro features like AF micro adjustment for individual focus points, auto ISO in M mode, 1-2 stop behind C & N in >1600 ISO noise performance, less 3d party lenses available compared to C & N, Tamron removes VC from its alpha mount lenses...
All Sony cameras are SLTs now with EVF instead of OVF which maybe helpful for those with little or no experience with OVF. Consider RX100 or NEX system.
I still shoot with Sony a100 that I got in 2007 with no camera issues. Sony quality control is very high.

Originally Posted by malina

They do lack some pro features like AF micro adjustment for individual focus points, auto ISO in M mode, 1-2 stop behind C & N in >1600 ISO noise performance, less 3d party lenses available compared to C & N, Tamron removes VC from its alpha mount lenses...
All Sony cameras are SLTs now with EVF instead of OVF which maybe helpful for those with little or no experience with OVF. Consider RX100 or NEX system.
I still shoot with Sony a100 that I got in 2007 with no camera issues. Sony quality control is very high.

lol
i'm sure this post is helpful to mikelarry with all those acronyms
i got lost starting from SLT, EVF, OVF...

why isn't the title of this thread in 3rd person

I remember when I starting shooting digital, the down side to Sony was that there weren't a lot of lenses to chose from. Its not the case anymore. You can find some third party lenses. idk who has the most lenses Canon or Nikon? I know from being a Nikon user, most of their cameras allow you to use the older lenses.

But for your dad, a Sony would be a good step to getting him into DSLR.

I don't think they suck - but part of the reason you buy a DSLR is for the lenses... That is why you buy Canon or Nikon.

I started on a Sony a100 and loved it.

Then got a Canon

Buy a Playstation 3.

The sony NEX-7 is a fantastic camera and well worth the money, I took this photo with one. And if you want to, you can start buying up Leica glass , way better than anything Canon or Nikon offer.

PHENOMenal by k2pilot, on Flickr

look into the RX100 i think.

I use Sony camera and I really like them. I started on an A200 and now I use an A65. I've yet to have any issues of something breaking. They seem to be very quality. The only complaints I have with Sony is the list of available lens and accessories is shorter, and noise at higher ISO.

You can check out some of my photos if you are interested in the end results. I'm not the best photographer, but there are some decent ones.

http://mikemphotos.smugmug.com/_nr_

Originally Posted by malina

They do lack some pro features like AF micro adjustment for individual focus points, auto ISO in M mode, 1-2 stop behind C & N in >1600 ISO noise performance, less 3d party lenses available compared to C & N, Tamron removes VC from its alpha mount lenses...
All Sony cameras are SLTs now with EVF instead of OVF which maybe helpful for those with little or no experience with OVF. Consider RX100 or NEX system.
I still shoot with Sony a100 that I got in 2007 with no camera issues. Sony quality control is very high.

A couple of thoughts:

• The new Nikon sensors, which have higher ISO capability and dynamic range than anything Canon offers, are all Sony sensors.

• Auto-ISO in M mode would completely defeat the purpose of shooting in M mode.

• Tamron removes VC (Vibration compensation) from its Alpha mount lenses, because most Sony bodies have in-camera Vibration Compensation/Image Stabilization- so you don't need it in the lens also.

• the new OVFs (Optical ViewFinders) that Sony is using are stunning, and don't be surprised if all other camera manufacturers go that way very soon.

Sony make terrific general use cameras- and you can use the entire lineup of Minolta lenses. Sony cameras may not have the weather-sealing, and frame rates of the Canon 1Dx and Nikon D4, but are terrific cameras nonetheless.

Bottom line, if you already aren't invested heavily in Nikon or Canon glass, there is no reason to overlook Sony.

Edit: the above should have read going to electronic viewfinders, not optical.