[quote name='Yakim' timestamp='1282863749' post='2241']
But if I give up AF the Zuiko 21/2 or 18/3.5 are my prime candidates. [/quote]
So if the 18/3.5 had AF would you buy it? You do realize its DOF is larger than the faster & longer 24/2.8 (which does AF)?
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1282865545' post='2242']
And it has that mirror which ghosts...[/quote]
Ghosting is a non-issue. Someone at the dpreview.com forum tried to show it at 200% magnification (!), and gave examples from extreme situations that were supposed to demonstrate it. I looked for it really hard, and I'm still not sure I can see it. You don't need to look hard to see the 550D struggling to focus in LV or Movie mode ;-)
A more complete list of the Sony advantage would include these:
1. In-body IS that works with all lenses, including the short primes the OP is interested in (no equivalent in Canon)
2. Articulated LCD screen
3. 10 fps (vs 3.7)
4. Real AF in movie mode (much faster, no constant hunting, reasonable tracking of moving subjects)
5. 100% Viewfinder
6. Easy and accurate MF in the viewfinder (thanks to the LV magnification)
7. Fast AF in LV
8. Sweep panorama
9. Usable ISO 25,000 thanks to multi-shot NR
10. Microphone port
11. $50 lower MSRP, $150 lower for the A33 (almost identical to the A55, except it's "only" 7 fps and 14 MP)
I probably a missed a few others, but these would be enough for me to prefer the A55 (or go for the A33 and get a 35/1.8 for "free" ;-)).
Quite the opposite. Hinging the screen from the bottom is a better, more sensible design, it doesn't suffer from the two major problems of the side-hinge design:
1. The screen is not in-line with the lens. In fact, it's way out to the side - unlike any OVF (including reflex), EVF or regular non-articulated LCD. I find it very annoying to have to peek to the side of the camera instead of straight ahead.
2. The side-hinge screen prevents the left hand from getting a firm grip on the left side of the camera (like [url="http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3572/cameralcdangledgb9.jpg"]this[/url]). It keeps getting in the way compared to top- or bottom-hinge screens which always remain on the back of the camera, where the left hand doesn't reach.
The only advantage of the side hinge is in shooting self portraits when the camera is on a tripod. I'm not interested in that, but I maybe the OP does.
In what way? I think that PD-AF makes the A55 movie mode better for for most people.
EVF's have many useful advantages over OVF's. 100% accuracy and MF magnification are my favorite advantages, but there are plenty of others.
Maybe this was an issue in older pellicle SLR's, but it's a non-issue in the A55.
There are small A-mount lenses in all of these focal lengths, and unlike in Canon they all offer IS (via the body).
I don't considers DPP to be a major selling point, but maybe it is for the OP who is already using Canon and may be used to this software.
I think 35mm is outside the focal length ranges that the OP is looking for.
But if I give up AF the Zuiko 21/2 or 18/3.5 are my prime candidates. [/quote]
So if the 18/3.5 had AF would you buy it? You do realize its DOF is larger than the faster & longer 24/2.8 (which does AF)?
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1282865545' post='2242']
And it has that mirror which ghosts...[/quote]
Ghosting is a non-issue. Someone at the dpreview.com forum tried to show it at 200% magnification (!), and gave examples from extreme situations that were supposed to demonstrate it. I looked for it really hard, and I'm still not sure I can see it. You don't need to look hard to see the 550D struggling to focus in LV or Movie mode ;-)
Quote:The only 2 things I see it has over the 550D are...
A more complete list of the Sony advantage would include these:
1. In-body IS that works with all lenses, including the short primes the OP is interested in (no equivalent in Canon)
2. Articulated LCD screen
3. 10 fps (vs 3.7)
4. Real AF in movie mode (much faster, no constant hunting, reasonable tracking of moving subjects)
5. 100% Viewfinder
6. Easy and accurate MF in the viewfinder (thanks to the LV magnification)
7. Fast AF in LV
8. Sweep panorama
9. Usable ISO 25,000 thanks to multi-shot NR
10. Microphone port
11. $50 lower MSRP, $150 lower for the A33 (almost identical to the A55, except it's "only" 7 fps and 14 MP)
I probably a missed a few others, but these would be enough for me to prefer the A55 (or go for the A33 and get a 35/1.8 for "free" ;-)).
Quote:Screen that can move. But grrr! what were they thinking about how it is hinged? That is brain dead.
Quite the opposite. Hinging the screen from the bottom is a better, more sensible design, it doesn't suffer from the two major problems of the side-hinge design:
1. The screen is not in-line with the lens. In fact, it's way out to the side - unlike any OVF (including reflex), EVF or regular non-articulated LCD. I find it very annoying to have to peek to the side of the camera instead of straight ahead.
2. The side-hinge screen prevents the left hand from getting a firm grip on the left side of the camera (like [url="http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3572/cameralcdangledgb9.jpg"]this[/url]). It keeps getting in the way compared to top- or bottom-hinge screens which always remain on the back of the camera, where the left hand doesn't reach.
The only advantage of the side hinge is in shooting self portraits when the camera is on a tripod. I'm not interested in that, but I maybe the OP does.
Quote:The things I see the 550D having over the A55:
- Better movie mode
In what way? I think that PD-AF makes the A55 movie mode better for for most people.
Quote:- OVF
EVF's have many useful advantages over OVF's. 100% accuracy and MF magnification are my favorite advantages, but there are plenty of others.
Quote:- No mirror induced ghosting
Maybe this was an issue in older pellicle SLR's, but it's a non-issue in the A55.
Quote:- Small and light lens options (20/24/28/35/50/85mm options)
There are small A-mount lenses in all of these focal lengths, and unlike in Canon they all offer IS (via the body).
Quote:- DPP
I don't considers DPP to be a major selling point, but maybe it is for the OP who is already using Canon and may be used to this software.
Quote:I do love my small and light EF 35mm f2. And may I point the Tokina 35mm f2.8 DX macro out to you?
I think 35mm is outside the focal length ranges that the OP is looking for.