QUOTE(ReasonsofThanatos @ Sep 8 2009, 08:22 AM)
wow...thank all of u 4 d precious info....
ya my budget is ard 2k...so D5000 is out of my consideration..though i've read abt it n thinks tat it's great...actually i also prefered nikon, as i did some comparison with other models i stated..but i haven thought abt d feel when holding it in my hand though @.@ i've hold D60 and D3000 be4 n they feel much similar 2 each other,cept i feel D3000 is slightly smaller n better in grip n button arrangement...So i'll try 2 get ahold on Sony A230 too later...but sadly both d nikon model dont have live view...
And i heard Sony can only use its own manufactured lenses n minolta lenses right?so they're cheaper than nikkor's as well...ok i'll put all these in my consideration.hopefully i can join d big family XD
1. Trust me, you wont be using live view 99% of the time. Live view function on dslrs are much slower in autofocusing compared to normal point & shoot digital cameras.
2. Other 3rd party manufacturers also make alpha/minolta mount lenses. Some are cheap and some are not. I also need to tell you that most of the current SONY made lenses do not have AFS/ HSM/ USM fast speed ring type motor in their lenses. Most of their lenses are using motor that's built into the body. Only some of their high end lenses have SSM (fast speed ring type motor).
3. I do like SONY's top of the line flash, the F58 and its cheaper than SB900 too. The swivel head of the f58 is reallly nice.
4. You also need to take note the availability of older 2nd hand lenses. Old Nikon and Canon lenses are easy to find but only nikon lenses with built in motor can AF on the D3000. On the other hand old minolta lenses are harder to find but they can all work with alpha series because all have built in motor in the bodies.
5. You wont go wrong with any of them. I would suggest looking at a 2nd hand Nikon D80/D90 or look at the alpha 500 series (not sure how much it is)