Sony Alpha A100K 10.2MP DSLR Camera Kit w/ 18-70mm Lens $329.99 + Tax

[SHADOWFOX]

For those of you looking to step-up to a Digital SLR you should hurry and head out to your local Circuit City stores as soon as you can and grab the Sony Alpha A100K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 Lens because they are clearing them at $369.99

This is an awesome price for this camera. I was holding out for the Nikon or Canon but for this price I can stick with it for another year or so and then buy the Nikon D80.

There is a $40.00 off $199.00 worth of purchase coupon below that you can use to get to the $329.99 before tax.

Now you can take awesome pics of your finish projects, shop showcase or tool reviews

[gerti]

I suspect someone at CC forgot a '1' in front of that price. But if anyone can confirm that I'll drop everything...

[SHADOWFOX]

Trust me this is not a price mistake. I picked one up and they are clearing these out. Waiting and keeping an eye for the accessories to be cleared as well.

[gerti]

Then it's truly an awesome deal, thanks for sharing! My BIL has that one (different lens though), it is very nice!

[TheRic]

Bummer, cash flow is not right at this time!!

[Garasaki]

No local circuit city's...anyone willing to buy and ship to me?

Will have to run this by the wife, the timing is terrible, but we've been talking about getting a new camera and I really want a DSLR...

[BigguyZ]

Dang, like several others, I'd buy if I had the $$. I need a good camera that can take close up pictures for my pens and other projects...

[Uncle Cracker]

Hope it's not a problem, but the fine print on the $40 coupon says "Reproductions/photocopies will not be accepted"

[Wandere]

Reviews from trusted sites:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_.../alpha100.html

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/

-Rob

[radhak]

When I check their website, I only see the Sony alpha DSLR-A700 12.2-Megapixel Digital SLR for $1300 (no lens). Is the A100 a much older model?

as in, did it progress A100 to A200 to ...

the DSLRs I have been willing to consider till now (purely based on the potential hit on my wallet) were the Nikon D40 (6MP) and the Canon XTi (10MP) - in the same price range, or a bit more than what this sale seems to be for. How do they compare?

[Uncle Cracker]

A100 came out in '06. The A700 is the current model. This is why the A100 is now a "closeout", and priced accordingly.

[jziegler]

A100 came out in '06. The A700 is the current model. This is why the A100 is now a "closeout", and priced accordingly.

But, the A700 does not replace the A100, the A200 it the A100 replacement. A700 is a higher end camera.

Just a warning with Sony cameras right now, lens selection of new lenses is not all that great, although they can use any Minolta autofocus lenses as well as the Sony ones.

Jim

[LCHIEN]

Thoughts

That is a good price for the performance levels, perhaps making it a bargain.

However, some of the things to think about before buying a DSLR:
When you spend the kind of bucks for a DSLR that they normally run, $800 starting prices, $1000 and up for the newest models, what you are really buying ionto is a system. This was true in the old days of 35mm film SLR systems, and true nowadays. One of the things you are looking for is the access to the system accesories, the reason for paying high bucks for the system body is to accept lenses and flashes that mate to this particular body. You don't need to be paying extra for the camera over a similar fixed lens DSLR imitation unless you plan to get lenses. Once you get more lenses, then you have a substantial investment into the camera system and you are locked (in this case to Sony/Minolta system accessories) and its hard to change.

The battery pack alone for this camera, is $69, if yo need to replace it or have a spare.

Not to discourage the camera, it is allegedly quite capable, just should go into a system purchase with both eyes open. For four-500 bucks you can get a DSLR imitation camera with a much wider range 10X zoom (compared to 3.5x for the sony kit lens) and similar camera performance specs. The main difference would be a wider range fixed mount lens vs. a narrower range interchangeable lens.

[radhak]

...
For four-500 bucks you can get a DSLR imitation camera with a much wider range 10X zoom (compared to 3.5x for the sony kit lens) and similar camera performance specs. The main difference would be a wider range fixed mount lens vs. a narrower range interchangeable lens.

Loring, did you mean the super-zoon point-and-shoot like the Canon S3 IS?

Wouldn't the performance be better for a DSLR? As in, more depth, lesser 'noise', lesser shutter lag, etc? For example, not many non-DSLR would have 10MP resolution, as they'd struggle to control picture noise. Or would you say technology has already caught up and it's not an issue?

Of course, no question about the convenience (and cost) of a single lens with wider range against juggling many lenses.

[Uncle Cracker]

But, the A700 does not replace the A100, the A200 it the A100 replacement. A700 is a higher end camera.

True. What I meant was that the A700 was the current model in the Circuit City online lineup. The A200 is not there, either. Sorry if the way I said it confused anybody.