AF Point Count?

Despite having the same sensor as the Nikon D80, Nikon clearly has a better understand of what's going on than Sony does, as the D80 thrashes the Alpha 100 in terms of photo quality. Well, mostly just the amount of noise in the images. The A100 is clearly noisier, and noisier than most cameras. Not sure what the price difference is between the D80 and A100 is though.

The only benefit of the A100 is the built-in IS. I guess that's why you're going for it. If I were you, I'd either get the Olympus E400 (because that's one of the cameras you're really keen on after doing your own research ), or the Pentax K10D. Not sure what the photo quality is like, but I'm more confident that Pentax, like Nikon, has more expertise than Sony does. The Alpha 100 really is an alpha release for Sony. Next is a beta release. If I were to go for a Sony, I'd wait for the 3rd update or 3rd new model just so that they get all the kinks out.

And yes, more AF points do matter because it helps with.....well....... proper auto focusing.

With more AF points, tracking of fast moving subjects will be more effective.

More AF points is definitely better, regardless of how skilled you are. I'd definitely expect more than 3 AF points on a camera as expensive as the A100 (not that it's expensive for a DSLR). If you plan on using AF and not manual focus all the time, that is.

And how well did the two Sony/Minolta lenses do in reviews? The 18-135 mm may only be a single lens, but if it's better, it's the better choice. I'd rather have a single lens than 2 bad lenses. And besides, if you prefer the Sony 2 lens kit because it covers more focal range, remember that most people who want a telephoto realize very quickly that they rarely use it. A lens that goes to 135 mm on a small APS-C sensor is equivalent to approximately 200 mm on a 35 mm camera. That's quite long already, and for like 95% of most people's photos, a 135 mm reach is plenty.


Actually, I wouldn't want the 18-135 mm either because it's too slow for me, but whatever.

There's a K10D kit with 18-55 + 50-200
The K10D has 11 AF sensors (9 cross).

Latest news says first stock of K10D by late November/early December. But you would still have to check if you can fit in the first batch by preordering.

Did you actually look through the viewfinder of the Olympus?

K10D UK brochure
K10D global brochure
K10D official sample pictures
GX-10 review (pics most probably taken with Samsung Schneider lens)

At amazon.com, GX-10 with Schneider 18-55 and 55-200 is $1050 (with only the 18-55 it's $1000), while K10D with Pentax 18-55 is $1000.
In UK, estimated price of the double GX-10 kit above is £700. Here.
Maybe the GX-10 will come with 3/4 year warranty compared to 1 year for Pentax.

Some K10D preliminary samples

The K10D twin kit is £787 at Pixmania (I am not saying you should buy there).

You do realize the K10D body weighs almost 800 grams (with battery), don't you?

Just to add, the Pentax K100D is also offered with a two lens kit (18-55 and 50-200). It too has 11 focus points with 9 being cross type. It is the step below the K10D. For more information either of these cameras and some of the F and DA lenses(there are others as well as a huge legacy of K-Mount lenses) you can check out http://www.pentaxslr.com.

More K10D samples

In the Pentax site only a few lenses are listed. While you can find a lot of new older lenses in places like B&H, I think they are not distributed in Europe anymore because of RoHS (same for 645N II and 67 II).
Hasselblad Xpan also disappeared like this.

GX-10 official samples

Apparently, Samsung's Schneider lenses are rebadged Pentax.

I checked out the E-400 at the store. It's very light, even with a lens and battery. I found the viewfinder OK.
What I miss is the grip as found in other cameras (except for the 350D and 400D, which I find a bit edgy, so I am afraid of it being uncomfortable after some time).
I wouldn't worry too much about the AF points if you want to travel light.

I found it quite tempting as a travel cam. But then, there's the 18-200 VR...

I don't get it. I know that Samsung cameras are just rebadged Pentax camera bodies (for now, at least), and now you're telling me that Schneider, a real lens company and not just a creation of Samsung, is just rebadging Pentax lenses for Samsung? I know that rebadging lenses or getting other companies to make a lens for you isn't new, but I thought that at least the Samsung kit lens, which has a different company's name on it, would be unique to Samsung.

At least Sony's camera is (mostly) their own work.

Samsung bought Rollei and got the rights to the Schneider name and lens designs, later sold Rollei to management buyout.

There are some new K10D high ISO samples here.

Abstract said:

At least Sony's camera is (mostly) their own work.

Click to expand...

I thought that Sony lenses were ex Konica/Minolta and that their new DSLR was based on one that Konica/Minolta had in development

No, it was not in an UK store.

The D40 will only be available in kit.

It seems a few people have already got their K10D's in the US. So watch out.

Jacobs has the E-400 online. Don't they have it in Leeds?

Hmm. K10D with 18-55 already $859 in the US (no international shipping).

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