Nope, I don’t shoot Canon or Nikon.  That image was taken with my Sony a77.

I haven’t rambled on here in awhile so perhaps today is the day.

Every single time I see an interview or poll asking “do you shoot Canon or Nikon” I want to SHOUT from the rooftops (or angrily type in all CAPS) THERE ARE OTHER BRANDS OF CAMERAS.

::sigh:: that felt good

So, why do I shoot Sony?

Honest truth is with every upgrade I question my decision to stick with Sony.  Is the image quality on Canon and Nikon really that much better?  In 2012 I upgraded twice.  The first time was in February from my almost 3 year old a300 to the new a55.  Then in November I upgraded from the a55 to the a77.  I still shoot Sony 🙂

Let’s talk about why I chose Sony to begin with.
1) incredibly fast Live View (and this was back in 2009 but is still true today)
2) tilting screen (again in 2009 Sony was one of the only ones that did this and today this is still true in terms of HOW it articulates)
3) I was a Sony Fan Girl.  Yes, my point & shoot cameras had all been Sony, my computers were all Sony, so really why go with another company?
4) image stabilization (steady shot) inside the camera.  no worrying about whether or not the lens has IS

Now why I chose to stay with Sony.
1) When I bought the a55 I looked at the Nikon & Canon equivalents.  I was THIS close to buying the d5100 until I tried it in the store.  OMG the live view was so slow to focus.  I had gotten so use to shooting with Live View on my 1st Sony I would not give it up.
2) While I was initially unsure of the new electronic viewfinders I decided to take the leap and try it out.
3) When I wanted to upgrade again in November I decided to stay with Sony again because at that point I couldn’t give up the EVF.

So what is so special about my Sony?

First, the newest line of Sony cameras are not traditional DSLRs.  They are actually SLTs, single-lens translucent cameras..  We have a fixed mirror.  If you want more information see this entry.  Our viewfinders are not optical, they are electronic.  So think about the information that you see on the back of your camera on the LCD and now imagine that information in your viewfinder.  I can see histograms, WB, increases and decreases in exposure all in the viewfinder.  Takes a little getting used to but it is easier for me to adjust WB and exposure by “seeing” what it will actually look like.

Now don’t get me wrong, if I happen to win a Mark III or a d800 would I switch?  Maybe.  I would certainly give them a try.  Would I miss my EVF, live view, the articulated screen that allows me to see the screen while I take a selfie?  ABSOLUTELY.

What would REALLY make my day is if someone would just surprise me with an a99.

A girl can dream, right?

I wish I had an awesome picture of myself shooting with my camera to include here, but I don’t.

Let’s just post a picture of my kid instead 😉