Help (pls) - D7000 or A77 ?

Buckster

Buckster

Buckster

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now both have reduced in price

(750 ish body only for an A77 and 670 ish body only D7000)

I'm not sure which to go for? mixture of general photography and some video stuff of my kids and family.

I'm guessing most of the proported "focus" issues on the D7000 are user error rather than any real problem ?

A77 output seems a bit noisier - but seems ok up to 1600 which is plenty for most photos
 
I was upgrading from a D5100 to a D7000, it was only the extra features I wanted, raw IQ of the D5100 was perfectly fine, so the D7000 with the same sensor but slightly tweaked everything seemed a perfect match..

I only saw the A77 when I was in a shop playing with the D7000, and was quite intrigued by the whole electronic view finder etc, thinking it was just some big gimmick. Immediately the massive viewfinder in the A77 and all the information overlayed just had that wow factor, and the kit 16-50 was fast, silent and superbly sharp..

Needless to say, despite wanting the D7000, it just didn't feel much of an upgrade to the D5100, but the massive amount of fun stuff on the A77 coupled with the fact it does the normal stuff well enough, I ended up getting one..

The high ISO noise is slightly worse, but multi-frame is better then my D5100, but a lot of the gimmicks keep putting a smile on my face, this thing is just Fun..

Saying all that, I love nikon, I love teh D7000, it's a bit of a plain old photographers tool, but if thats all you want, then I see no issues recommending it.

If you want a bit of a twist on things, the EVF, multi-frame stuff (HDR/Panorama's/High ISO), the triple articulated screen (the surprise feature I wish all DSLRs had), coupled with the live view being identical to looking through the viewfinder with instant AF etc, and then the 12fps and all the other stuff.. Even the 24MP's is breathtakingly detailed when shooting low ISO stuff..

I'd go and play with them in a local shop, everyone wants different things, you can't go wrong with either..
 
Well if video is going to one of the main uses then I'd go for the A77 simply because the AF is a lot faster when using it and every lens you use will be stabilised.

Of course if you plan on manually focus then that will negate the need for fast AF but the sensor shift stabilisation in the Sony is very good.

Also the A77's live view is the best there is and put with is extremely flexible screen it makes for great experience for both stills and video.

However I'd probably say the D7000's AF for still images is slightly better, its battery life is also better than the A77's and as you have already said the high ISO output is cleaner than the Sony.

Though I would say don't believe the horror stories you'll see around various forums, its nowhere near as bad is some make out and I'm perfectly happy to use mine up to ISO6400.

One thing to definitely consider though is the A77's EVF. Its a love hate thing.

I personally love it, the ability to overlay live info on your view such as spirit levels and live histogram in the viewfinder is awesome but some folks like an optical viewfinder and wont go near an EVF.
 
thanks to both of you for your posts - difficult decision then

I did try a A77 and D7000 - and I was pretty blown away by the EVF of the A77 in the store (the sheer size of the viewfinder more than anything) - bu twasn't sure how it would translate into real-world usage

I have a Nex 5n - and I find it a bit of a pain to use, the focus peaking I don't get on well with - but when I tried the focus peaking on the A77 - it seems one of those features that works FAR FAR better using an EVF than trying to use the screen (especially in bright light etc)
 
An Exception said:
How are the electric viewfinders in sunny weather?
Click to expand...

Absolutely fine and I've not had any problems yet.

Its only in extremely 'contrasty' (and I mean extreme) situations where the EVF will perhaps clip some highlights but they are honestly few and far between.

In low light however it really comes into its own and is a lot better than OVF imo.
 
I'd go Nikon as once you start buying lenses you're stuck with a brand and I think the higher end range of cameras and lenses are better on Nikon.. I'm sure either camera will suit your needs.
 
The main things I like about the EVF are
- Massive FF sized view
- Focus peaking in manual focus
- Choice of overlaid info (histogram is useful)
- Shows you a very good approximation of what the shot will look like (no more under/over exposing by accident). (You can switch this off if you want)
- Gains up in very low light to be able to still see.

What isn't quite perfect
- Slight drain on battery life (but spare batteries are cheap!)
- If you are being picky, very high contrast scenes aren't rendered 100%
- If the sun is massively bright and overhead, you have to ensure a good seal with the eye to the eye cup.
- Can be a fraction laggier then an OVF at high fps

As ManCuBus says, the EVF is love/hate, and I think the acid test is just playing around with the different cameras, you soon start gravitating towards one, and it's not like you can make a bad decision!

jorzeh said:
I'd go Nikon as once you start buying lenses you're stuck with a brand and I think the higher end range of cameras and lenses are better on Nikon.. I'm sure either camera will suit your needs.
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I don't disagree that at the top Pro level, Nikon are that step ahead.. But that's only top end pro..

Sony have the whole Minolta back catalogue to fall back on, and have their own 'G' range which are totally on par with any other brand.. They have a wealth of mid-range lenses that are superb value for money (look no further then the kit 16-50 f/2.8 SSM), and all lenses get IS as standard.. They do have some 'holes' in their lens line up, but all brands have gaps in their lens line-ups. And the new A99 takes you easily up to the D600/D800 range, Sony just don't do any higher, so D4/1DX is where their gap is..

I don't totally subscribe to the idea you are locked in, I've switch brands twice, I just sell/buy a few lenses secondhand which is usually about cost neutral, it's only if there is a new good lens do I sometimes re-buy, but that's only because I want the newest version of that lens..
 
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I've just purchased a D7000 body and 35mm prime for portrait stuff. I am in a similar situation to yourself. The price of the 7000 is now excellent value in my opinion and would swing it for me.
 
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