Think this has poped up in the past a few times, and died, but its alive again so here you go.

Sony a330 under the outlet at sony style, refurb for 319$ which is 100 off the already low price.
pretty good entry level dslr!

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665887572

Theres a link
Enjoy

Im in for 1!

Tax is a bummer on this one, though.

Great little camera. Got one last time. ISO noise is a bit worse than my old A700 which was surprising, but the LV feature is a fair trade-off.

Balances well with the cheap kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200) which work quite well, and better in ways than older lenses. It even fits well with the 200mm 2.8 Minolta, curiously enough.

Be sure to get a 50 1.8 or 35 1.8, and start saving up for a flash.

Tax is a bummer on this one, though.

Great little camera. Got one last time. ISO noise is a bit worse than my old A700 which was surprising, but the LV feature is a fair trade-off.

Balances well with the cheap kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200) which work quite well, and better in ways than older lenses. It even fits well with the 200mm 2.8 Minolta, curiously enough.

Be sure to get a 50 1.8 or 35 1.8, and start saving up for a flash.

Know of any cheap places to get the lens and flash?

forget the junk memory stick!

Know of any cheap places to get the lens and flash?

Ebay, of course. ;) Sony prices are fixed and can rarely be found discounted.

Old Minolta glass works fine, and can be found cheap.

The new 50mm 1.8 was on sale for $125, but at $150, an old Minolta 50mm 1.7 for $80-90 is a comparable deal. Opinions vary over which is better. I got the 1.8 for the A330 since I already have the 1.4 for my A700.

The 35mm, however, is way too expensive in old Minolta style (f/2 or f/1.4) or Sony f/1.4. The 1.8 is (like the 50mm above) a new design specifically for cropped sensors, so it's much cheaper and lighter. It also gets good reviews. You're pretty much limited to new.

The 28mm f2.8 is cheap (as a Minolta version), but is pretty much not worth the small benefit you get over the 18-55mm.

Flashes are ubiquitously expensive, and can be found a little bit cheaper as Minolta versions. I normally say buy the biggest you can get, but I wonder if the 56 or 58 would overweight this camera. Probably not. The 58 can be found around $300...not much more than the older 56.

You'll get over the shock of paying as much for a flash as the entire camera soon enough. :)

Ebay, of course. ;) Sony prices are fixed and can rarely be found discounted.

Old Minolta glass works fine, and can be found cheap.

The new 50mm 1.8 was on sale for $125, but at $150, an old Minolta 50mm 1.7 for $80-90 is a comparable deal. Opinions vary over which is better. I got the 1.8 for the A330 since I already have the 1.4 for my A700.

The 35mm, however, is way too expensive in old Minolta style (f/2 or f/1.4) or Sony f/1.4. The 1.8 is (like the 50mm above) a new design specifically for cropped sensors, so it's much cheaper and lighter. It also gets good reviews. You're pretty much limited to new.

The 28mm f2.8 is cheap (as a Minolta version), but is pretty much not worth the small benefit you get over the 18-55mm.

Flashes are ubiquitously expensive, and can be found a little bit cheaper as Minolta versions. I normally say buy the biggest you can get, but I wonder if the 56 or 58 would overweight this camera. Probably not. The 58 can be found around $300...not much more than the older 56.

You'll get over the shock of paying as much for a flash as the entire camera soon enough. :)

Somewhat OT question: Is this 50mm lens (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCatalog?storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10551&in_dim_search=&keyword=50mm+lens&x=0&y=0) a MA AF lens? Basically, I want a cheap (compared to micro 4/3rds) 50mm lens and adapter for my E-p1. The adapters I see on amazon such as this one (http://www.amazon.com/RAINBOWIMAGING-Minolta-Adapter-Panasonic-Aperture/dp/B002Z3TDM6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1295039428&sr=8-4) work for Sony MA AF lenses. Would this adapter and the 50mm be compatible? Thanks. (I am just getting into the lens thing...hence the q.)

Somewhat OT question: Is this 50mm lens (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCatalog?storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10551&in_dim_search=&keyword=50mm+lens&x=0&y=0) a MA AF lens? Basically, I want a cheap (compared to micro 4/3rds) 50mm lens and adapter for my E-p1. The adapters I see on amazon such as this one (http://www.amazon.com/RAINBOWIMAGING-Minolta-Adapter-Panasonic-Aperture/dp/B002Z3TDM6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1295039428&sr=8-4) work for Sony MA AF lenses. Would this adapter and the 50mm be compatible? Thanks. (I am just getting into the lens thing...hence the q.)

Yeah, but you're better off (I think) going with manual focus lenses. You lose AF anyways, so you might as well pick up an old MF lens for peanuts. 50mm 1.7 lenses are nearly free. 1.4's are under $50. 1.2's....well, they are pricey. ;)

Plus, I think the adapter is cheaper, since you can adjust aperture directly on the lens. The AF adapter has to control the aperture, since there are no external aperture controls on Minolta/Sony AF lenses.

You can also get 28mm, 35mm, 45mm, and 58mm lenses in Minolta MC/MD versions to add to the mix. 24mm and 21mm may come in handy on 4/3, but they start to get pricey again. The 21mm is legendary, I hear.

Yeah, but you're better off (I think) going with manual focus lenses. You lose AF anyways, so you might as well pick up an old MF lens for peanuts. 50mm 1.7 lenses are nearly free. 1.4's are under $50. 1.2's....well, they are pricey. ;)

Plus, I think the adapter is cheaper, since you can adjust aperture directly on the lens. The AF adapter has to control the aperture, since there are no external aperture controls on Minolta/Sony AF lenses.

You can also get 28mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 58mm lenses in Minolta MC/MD versions to add to the mix. 24mm and 21mm may come in handy on 4/3, but they start to get pricey again. The 21mm is legendary, I hear.

Thanks for the tips. Very helpful. I will look for a cheap MF lens with adapter. You saved me some $$s. Any further tips on a good+cheap 50mm lens to pick up would be great. I want to use it for indoor low light use. If I can get away with $50-ish I would be ecstatic.

forget the junk memory stick!

just because it's a sony product doesn't mean it only uses memory stick. this camera also accepts SD card.

Thanks for the tips. Very helpful. I will look for a cheap MF lens with adapter. You saved me some $$s. Any further tips on a good+cheap 50mm lens to pick up would be great. I want to use it for indoor low light use. If I can get away with $50-ish I would be ecstatic.

Remember that 50mm is equivalent of 100mm field of view on 4/3. That's a bit narrow for indoor. 28mm or 35mm would be a better starting point. You can find 2.8 lenses for pocket change on Ebay. The faster 28 2.0 and 35 1.8 will run near $200.

The 45mm is pretty close to 50mm, and harder to find, but can be just as cheap. I think it's even smaller. I have the f/2 and it's tiny. I think it cost me $20. The 2.8 is even smaller...if it exists. ;)

http://photo.net/sony-minolta-slr-system-forum/00VIyo

But yes, the 50mm 1.4 will be the fastest, widest lens you can get for under $100.

Not too shabby!

Nice camera, has 4.7 rating on amazon.

Free Expedited 2 days shipping CC2010EXPD4YR8HGSHP

aw man i want one....should i wait, i don't need it till summer?

aw man i want one....should i wait, i don't need it till summer?
get one.. i bought one as a back up a few days ago and i'm a nikon shooter... I couldn't pass it up at this price and I had $400 in sonystyle gift cards to burn.. Takes excellent photos and has "live view"

have been debating on this or the pentax k-x

I got this last time it $319+ tax. But this is not the lowest price ever. Last time they put this onsale it was $289, so if you do not need DSLR immediately hold your money. It will lower price more.

So tempting. I've been wanting to jump to a platform with built in IS so that I wouldn't have to keep buying IS lenses. This would be a relatively cheap way to see if I like the sony way of doing things.

Note: Sony, please come out with a dual control-wheel version of the A55!

looks dead...=/

just ordered one for my mom. TU and Rep'd oh and i tried that coupon code and it said it wasn't valid for this order.

I own this camera - found in on clearance @ wal-mart a little while back for the same price. I have no complaints with this camera, I actually like it a lot. I have been looking out for the 55 - 200 mm lens for this camera. Sony style has the lens I want for this camera refurbished, but I think at that price, I'll just wait a little longer...

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665345635

What a refurbished price deal... LMAO

I got this last time it $319+ tax. But this is not the lowest price ever. Last time they put this onsale it was $289, so if you do not need DSLR immediately hold your money. It will lower price more.

i doubt it, the A100 is the same price (200-250 with the cheapo kit 18-70)... DSLR hit a flat liner at the bottom and never drop more. the only brand that have been going sub 200 for the body is the olympus E series (and not the E510 or above, just the E300, 400, aka the crap ones).

This is really good price, you can dump the kit lens for 50 easily (as easy as throw it out on the street and put a 50 price tag on it and someone will pick it up lol).

I own this camera - found in on clearance @ wal-mart a little while back for the same price. I have no complaints with this camera, I actually like it a lot. I have been looking out for the 55 - 200 mm lens for this camera. Sony style has the lens I want for this camera refurbished, but I think at that price, I'll just wait a little longer...

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665345635

What a refurbished price deal... LMAO

get the minolta 70-210 f4, you can get it for like 150, much better lens (faster too).

Great price OP, I have this camera for a while now, it cost me a lot more and it's a great camera.

I know it's not the lowest price for this camera but got in anyways with my $200 Sony rewards gift cards I got for.card signup that I got earlier and been itching to put it to good use. My first DSLR...

have been debating on this or the pentax k-x
this sensor is not as good at high iso shots as the sensor in the pentax k-x. the 10mp sensor in the sony a330 is the same as the sensor in the pentax k10 and I rarely go over iso 800 in it. It is an excellent sensor at low iso though, so if you're doing static subjects like landscape and architecture, it will serve you well. But for a lot of family living room shots, I'm shooting iso 1600-3200 at shutter speeds of around 1/20th at around f3.5. If you're shooting with the sony, shutter speeds of 1/10th or 1/5th will be required unless you want pretty grainy pictures with strange color splotches. And pictures at 1/10th or 1/5th are much harder to get a sharp image... any movement by you or your subject will throw your image off due to motion blur. I'm not saying that you won't be able to get sharp images at these shutter speeds, just that it's a lot harder and more infrequent.

Of course the Sony is a couple hundred less, so it sounds like a pretty good value. And both the Pentax and the Sony have in body stabilization so all lenses will benefit from this.

Here is another Olympus DSLR deal. Check it out it may be a better buy for someone. link (http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=264815&t=2576869)

Wish this had video, I'd be on top of it.

forget the junk memory stick!

Ah another useless comment by cgigate...


Great camera for the price. Fast AF in tiltable liveview a plus!

this sounds like a great way for me to spend my 23k sony points.
but sadly, i don't think ill actually use it very much :(

so ... wait for another deal...

It shows to me $ 419.99 now :(

It shows to me $ 419.99 now :(
It was one day deal.

This is really good price, you can dump the kit lens for 50 easily (as easy as throw it out on the street and put a 50 price tag on it and someone will pick it up lol).



get the minolta 70-210 f4, you can get it for like 150, much better lens (faster too).

What do you suggest replacing the kit lens with? That $50 won't go far to a replacement, and any lens like a 17-50mm 2.8 is a bit heavier.

Likewise, have you used the 55-200mm? It's actually pretty good, and better in terms of CA than the beercan. Don't get me wrong, I like the beercan, but it's not a "general purpose" lens. It's heavy, and has less zoom range.

The general point is...this camera is small, and both the kit lenses are well matched for it. Once you start putting beercans and larger kit lenses on it, you add weight (and cost) that compromises a lot of its benefits.

The new lenses are well designed, using computer power and taking advantages of the smaller sensor. Using FF lenses is quite a bit of overkill.

I have all the good lenses for my A700 (and eventual A850). But I got the 18-55/55-200/50 1.8 for my wife for the A330, because they work well together.

What do you suggest replacing the kit lens with? That $50 won't go far to a replacement, and any lens like a 17-50mm 2.8 is a bit heavier.

Likewise, have you used the 55-200mm? It's actually pretty good, and better in terms of CA than the beercan. Don't get me wrong, I like the beercan, but it's not a "general purpose" lens. It's heavy, and has less zoom range.

The general point is...this camera is small, and both the kit lenses are well matched for it. Once you start putting beercans and larger kit lenses on it, you add weight (and cost) that compromises a lot of its benefits.

The new lenses are well designed, using computer power and taking advantages of the smaller sensor. Using FF lenses is quite a bit of overkill.

I have all the good lenses for my A700 (and eventual A850). But I got the 18-55/55-200/50 1.8 for my wife for the A330, because they work well together.

I'm just suggesting to people who want to get the body for cheap... dump the kit lens :).

I'm just suggesting to people who want to get the body for cheap... dump the kit lens :).

The body won't do much without a lens. ;)

And if they need to buy other lenses, then this approach will COST them money.

And if they have lenses already, they probably have a body already.

And if they have all that and are looking for a backup body, $40-50 saved by pawning off the kit lens won't mean much to their overall budget.

Yes, it comes with a kit lens, but the calculus of selling it doesn't work out in almost all situations I can think of. So, I would hesitate to advice anyone to go down that path.

Unless you've thought of one I've forgotten?

The body won't do much without a lens. ;)

And if they need to buy other lenses, then this approach will COST them money.

And if they have lenses already, they probably have a body already.

And if they have all that and are looking for a backup body, $40-50 saved by pawning off the kit lens won't mean much to their overall budget.

Yes, it comes with a kit lens, but the calculus of selling it doesn't work out in almost all situations I can think of. So, I would hesitate to advice anyone to go down that path.

Unless you've thought of one I've forgotten?

1) they already have a kit lens?
2) they want to upgrade? my theory is that if I have a lens sitting there doing nothing, it'd be better if it turn into cash in my hand.

1) they already have a kit lens?
2) they want to upgrade? my theory is that if I have a lens sitting there doing nothing, it'd be better if it turn into cash in my hand.

1). No one has a kit lens without a kit (aka without a camera).
2) If they want to upgrade...

a). The old camera will sell better with a lens
b). The new kit lens is better than the older kit lenses.

1). No one has a kit lens without a kit (aka without a camera).
2) If they want to upgrade...

a). The old camera will sell better with a lens
b). The new kit lens is better than the older kit lenses.

um, what if they're trying to buy a 2nd body, and now have the extra kit lens?

who says anything about upgrading from older to newer kit lens, i'm talking about 17-50 f/2.8 or something similar... yeah the old 18-70 wasn't as good as the newer one haha, the kit lens is actually quite nice, it does 1/3 macro at 55mm, but eventually you'll wanna jump out of it.

um, what if they're trying to buy a 2nd body, and now have the extra kit lens?

who says anything about upgrading from older to newer kit lens, i'm talking about 17-50 f/2.8 or something similar... yeah the old 18-70 wasn't as good as the newer one haha, the kit lens is actually quite nice, it does 1/3 macro at 55mm, but eventually you'll wanna jump out of it.

They have this for 327 at frys.com, but it's brand new.

um, what if they're trying to buy a 2nd body, and now have the extra kit lens?

who says anything about upgrading from older to newer kit lens, i'm talking about 17-50 f/2.8 or something similar... yeah the old 18-70 wasn't as good as the newer one haha, the kit lens is actually quite nice, it does 1/3 macro at 55mm, but eventually you'll wanna jump out of it.

Right, and I made the comment that putting $50 towards a 17-50 kinda killed the point of this deal. Most people looking for a SD on a DLSR won't be looking to upgrade so quickly.

But in that sense, DSLR's aren't good for cost control in the first place. ;)

Your point is valid. I'm just saying that in most cases, selling kit lenses is more hassle than its worth, and suggesting that to most novices can start a bad trend of lensaholism.

And most of the people who know that don't need to be reminded. ;)

They have this for 327 at frys.com, but it's brand new.

Tried this already, but only one problem for me. No shipping available, and no where to be found with in 95 miles.:mad:

good deal

I'm looking for a 55-200 lens. Do you know where I can get a cheap lens? Craiglist?

I'm looking for a 55-200 lens. Do you know where I can get a cheap lens? Craiglist?

Probably not...it's a newer lens. All the 70-210's were designed in the film days, so can be found cheap, but you lose 15mm on the wide end, and allegedly get more CA issues.

I got the 55-200mm SAM for $130ish on Ebay, LNIB.

omg it takes memory other than sonys own proprietary stick pro :D

Which is better? The A330 or the D5000 ?

Never used a Sony DSLR before. Anyone know how they compare (in actual use) to a Nikon? I just ordered a D7000 and I'm super stoked for it.

Which is better? The A330 or the D5000 ?
Never used a Sony DSLR before. Anyone know how they compare (in actual use) to a Nikon? I just ordered a D7000 and I'm super stoked for it.

The Nikon works better with Nikon lenses, some of which have image stabilization (VR).

The Sony works better with Sony and Minolta lenses, and has image stabilization built-in

:-)

Seriously, the body capability is nearly moot at these levels. Ergonomics is important, and the Nikon probably has slightly better AF performance. But the glass you put on the front is most important, so what you have access to is the biggest factor. Get whatever your friends have so you can share lenses.

I'm patiently waiting for this deal again. It's $379 on SONY site.