01-24-2011, 12:50 PM
The Pentax K5 is too expensive, the D7000 too big and heavy.
Not being very impressed by the Sony A55 (small viewfinder, but especially... EVF bleeeh, overheating issuses due to combination of live view and SSS, ghost lights from dusk till dawn), That then leaves 3 options I can think of... The Sony A580 with Zeiss 16-80mm lens, Canon 550D/T2i with Canon 15-85mm IS USM and Nikon D3100 with 16-85mm VR.
If brand did not play a role, I think the Canon would be most attractive to me with its live view implementation, mirror lock up and great LCD. I think it also might have the best view finder of the 3, not sure. But all 3 should be very capable smaller DSLRs, so focus on those 3 as they should fit your requirements "best".
Not being very impressed by the Sony A55 (small viewfinder, but especially... EVF bleeeh, overheating issuses due to combination of live view and SSS, ghost lights from dusk till dawn), That then leaves 3 options I can think of... The Sony A580 with Zeiss 16-80mm lens, Canon 550D/T2i with Canon 15-85mm IS USM and Nikon D3100 with 16-85mm VR.
If brand did not play a role, I think the Canon would be most attractive to me with its live view implementation, mirror lock up and great LCD. I think it also might have the best view finder of the 3, not sure. But all 3 should be very capable smaller DSLRs, so focus on those 3 as they should fit your requirements "best".