D60 vs A200

[JDM121]

I really want to get the a200 but the noise reduction is killing me, starts to kick in at 400 iso. The d60 is more expensive, but how does it compare?

[leaky5]

Not quite sure what you mean here. Are you worried about the noise performance above 400 ISO ? I am up to about 2500 shots on my a200 and apart from playing about with the ISO settings, I very rarely go above 400 in day to day use.

[JDM121]

Yeh thats what I meant over 400 iso the noise reduction kicks in, decreasing the quality. Even when the noise reduction is set to zero. Hmmm. I would probably only use 400+ iso, when in a room with artifical light and no tripod. Yes I could shoot in raw, but thats time consuming converting them, then adjusting image. hmm

But then the d60 is 70 quid more expensive, doesnt have image stabilizer built in, no auto in camera and colours can be over saturated. But better when shooting at high iso.

Maybe I m expecting too much from a 300 quid camera.

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by JDM121

Maybe I m expecting too much from a 300 quid camera.

Kinda, yeah.

The test images of the A200 do show that Sony really have gone down a different track to Nikon with image processing (considering that the A200 and D60 have the same sensor). I'm not a big fan of the chroma noise you seem to get with the Sonys.

A D60+18-55VR is going to outperform an A200 in low light, but you're looking at 100 quid more, and you'll probably have to pay more to get VR on all the lenses you use. In other words, a D60 will form the basis of a superior camera system than the A200 (in my opinion), but it'll cost you.

The only gap in the D60 AF lens lineup that might irritate you these days is the 50mm f1.8 and the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro, and many users manual focus macro lenses anyway.

BTW if you're that concerned about image quality, you should really be shooting RAW.

[leaky5]

Originally Posted by JDM121

Yeh thats what I meant over 400 iso the noise reduction kicks in, decreasing the quality. a.

You can turn high ISO NR off in one of the menus.

[JDM121]

Originally Posted by leaky5

You can turn high ISO NR off in one of the menus.

Yeh but the reviews showed there will still be some noise reduction, even when NR is off, at low artificial light situatations and isos above 400. The only way to get zero noise reduction is using raw, which will take time to process.

Saying that I won't be always shooting at low light situations where i need a fast shutter speed.

[Yandros]

If you're shooting in low light conditions, why not just flip it to RAW, and process those images separately to your normal jpg workflow. Personally I apply selective NR via a mask, so I don't smear too much detail in key areas. That way you get the best of both worlds.

[JDM121]

Originally Posted by Yandros

If you're shooting in low light conditions, why not just flip it to RAW, and process those images separately to your normal jpg workflow. Personally I apply selective NR via a mask, so I don't smear too much detail in key areas. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Yeh good idea, may just get the a200, as for there price there is nothing better. Cheers.