Thoughts on new Sony and Pentax DSLRs and lenses

**Benjamin** · 05-20-2009, 01:01 PM

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<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"]Both Sony
and Pentax have made multiple announcements recently regarding several new
DSLRs and entry level lenses. Sony announced three entry level DSLRs to replace
their current models while Pentax introduced a mid range DSLR seems to compete
with the 50D. The stories are the following in case if you haven’t read them.<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"][url="http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09051802sonyfourlenses.asp]http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09051802sonyfourlenses.asp[/url]<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"][url="http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09051804sonyalphas.asp]http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09051804sonyalphas.asp[/url]<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"][url="http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09052002pentaxdalenses.asp]http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09052002pentaxdalenses.asp[/url]<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"][url="http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pentaxk7/]http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pentaxk7/[/url]<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"]The new
Sony cameras seem to be quite different in ergonomics, the curvature on the
grip which allows our hands to hold the camera firmly is gone, and the main
dial is almost positioned right on the flat panel of the body. I cannot imagine
how I will be able to hold the weight of the camera with a reasonably weighted
lens attached without the normal curvature shown on most other cameras. (In most
cases the weight of the camera is shared with my middle finger and thumb. My
index finger is for the operations, the rest of my fingers will help the middle
finger to hold the camera tight.) Knowing that my 1V-HS, in fact, most of the
high end Canon SLR bodies are just designed to fit a human hand, I’m having a
hard time to imagine how Sony’s ergonomic design will actually work. I’ll
surely be the first ones to try out once the cameras are available. For now, I
will appreciate if anyone can help me out. (PS: I’m an undergrad engineering
student to focus on ergonomics related designs.) In terms of the camera, I will
always get a Canon T1i if I want an entry level DSLR – the Rebels are just
about the best cameras in its class. In comparison, Sony cameras do not have
too much to stand out from others. How many people will actually pick up on the
“Sony” name is questionable too. <o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"]On the
other hand, Pentax is taking a different path to make weather resistant (WR)
cameras and lenses. I think this concept along is an excellent idea. In fact,
if Pentax can offer a fully water/dust resistant camera like the Canon 1-series
bodies for $1299, several weather resistant entry level lenses at around $200,
then how come Canon and Nikon only offer such features in their very high end
products? I noticed that Pentax calls its own WR system “a simplified
weather-resistant construction”, I’m not sure what “simplified” means – does
that mean a more efficient/smart design or just a way of cutting corners to
bring the price down? Can somebody who’s familiar with such a design explain? But
overall, I think Pentax has established a good example in this regard for the
other major players in this industry. Plus, I NEED WEATHER SEALING as I travel
quite often during my vacations. It will be a tough one for me personally to
choose between the new Pentax K7 and the 50D if I start from draft, I may take
the 50D in the end – because it still seems to be a better camera overall.<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"]Tell me
what you think!<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"]<o

></o

>
<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]<span lang="EN-US"]Ben<o

></o

>

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