Sony Alpha DSLR-A100K Camera with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

I had this Camera as my first DSLR, it was fantastic. I used it all around the UK and took it with me when I took my motorbike all around Europe. I came off in poor conditions in the alps and there was condensation in the camera / lens but the camera was fine as it was well protected. I thought I was faced with a pricy bill when I made it from switzerland over to italy but I simply wore the camera bag around while I rode around and to my surprise to condensation cleared perfectly!So great build, Sony definitely make the best cameras with Carl Zeiss Optics and built in image stabilisation. The other makes seemed a bit plasticky and just didnt have the same quality as the Sony Cameras, not to mention the image stabilisation. My only complaint about the sony was that compared to newer models the screen isnt so clear especially in sunny conditions. But with this you will definitely learn how to use an SLR and take some great pictures.

I am an ex owner of this camera. Deciding not to upgrade my SLR lens collection for a camera that I failed to get on with. I am not saying this is a bad camera just that I did not get on with it and I will tell you why. Firstly the controls are not very well set out.It is still trying to cater to the creative compact market and has lots os settings for various scenes etc...this si either a serious camera or not it can't be both. I never worked out which it was and I only ever used 1 scene mode to shoot some sunsets. The camera took an age to set up with several dials and menu's to cope with but the results? well fantastic. That's the frustrating thing about this camera it can produce great results. But turn it off for 30 secs change position and re-shoot and guess what? it's failed to store any settings and you have to set the whole thing up again and again and again. so in short Fiddly and unsure of where it fits in but I have to say it can take a stunning shot. If you get one and don't like the image quality and everything else is set up right, think long and hard those sony lenses are very expensive. You can go Sigma or Tamron but they are not quite on the money in some respects.Summing up then. I found this camera drove me mad, and then calmed me down by producing a great shot only to drive me mad again. Had some brilliant features that cried out for better glass to exploit, that I was not prepared to pay for as it drove me mad again. If you do buy it don't say I didn't try to warn you.

Used this camera without problem for 6 months - excellent, apart from:1. Noise of shutter - can be a pain for candid and wildlife photography, as if you dont get the first shot right, you are unlikely to get a second chance if your subject hears the shutter click.2. Cleaning - oh that constant cleaning.....used in a dusty environment, with a lot of lens changes, ingress is terrible, and one particular hair took weeks to get rid of.....long exposure, lens off and lots of blow eventually shifted it.3. Kit lenses - certainly not the best.......but livable with.4. Flash fitting, and lens connection - limits your options too much, but situation is improving as time goes by. Anyone with old minolta lenses will love the fact they can use them on this.Now, what do I like.........Battery life, ease of use, built in anti-shake in body rather than in lens, initial price, but to be honest, wait for the next generation from Sony - at Aug 2007, its not far away.

The A100 is an excellent first camera, its a great camera for learning and beginners.This camera gives excellent resultsand the only issue I have found is ISO is only usable upto 800 unless you require grain in your photos. This camera is quite large which I find better having large hands and you feel like you are carrying a solid built camera.This camera is quite old now so it doesn't have many of the features of a modern camera such as live view but if you can with out that it still makes for an excellent DSLR.

Sony have not suddenly discovered expertise in SLRs - they bought out Minolta. This camera benefits and builds on Minolta heritage and is exceptionally good for the price. I've also purchased a 75-300mm lens which completes the package.The downside - like all SLRs (except perhaps the Olympus offering) it's big and the case makes it bigger still. The cheap lenses are not great - although the Sony 75-300 was only £105 bought from SonyStyle in Taiwan. Also if you're out of practice with SLR photography after years of digital photography buy a book on the camera.

Bit late in posting feedback but oh my god I am definitely pleased with this camera. Arrived quickly (especially as I bought it not long before Christmas). Was even better than described (the camera and components were in pristine condition!) and my boyfriend (whom the gift was for) is so incredibly happy with it. Thankyou very much.