So if you are new to higher end Cameras, or have old incompatible manual SLR camera equipment you might be ready to step up to your first DSLR system. If you are ready but confused by all the choices, you might just buy what your neighbor bought, most likely a Nikon or Canon Digital SLR Camera. They are great cameras that’s why they trade the #1 and #2 spot all the time. Still I might suggest that you look at Olympus and Sony Digital Cameras before you “Just keep up with the Jones’”.   Olympus and Sony  are doing some amazing innovative stuff to get your attention, maybe you should look their way. I’m going to focus (no pun intended) on Sony for now.

Sony has been a long time partner with arguably the finest optical glass manufacturer in the world today, Carl Zeiss, INC. Through this partnership they have been supplying Zeiss designed Sony lenses to Sony Cybershot Cameras for years, now with the Sony Alpha DSLR cameras you can get true Carl Zeiss innovation and optical performance on consumer or professional DSLR body.  The non Zeiss lenses are also built to exacting standards to be the equal or superior to the other manufactures as well. In the photo above I selected a wide range of  Sony Lenses. The  16mm f/2.8 Fisheye, the Zeiss 16-80 f/3.5~4.5, the Zeiss 16-35 f/2.8 and in the back the 70-200 f/2.8 G series sports lens. Remember that all Sony bodies have Super Steadyshot built in stabilization, so there are not two similar lenses with and without stabilization like the big 2.  Another innovative Sony first is one of those advances that makes you say, “Why haven’t they always been like that?”
The newest Sony Flash, the HVL-F58AM (pictured below on a  Alpha 300), can rotate its head orientation 180 degrees, independently of the bounce and swivel of the flash head, fewer needs for an accessory flash brackets; cords, adapters more natural lighting options in impromptu situations.

You are saying it aren’t you, “Why haven’t they always been like that?” I know! Those of you worried about memory, (Was I worried about memory? I don’t recall being worried about memory.) Have no worries, the Sony Digital SLR cameras all take Compact Flash Cards, Sony even offers their own line of said Flash memory cards (not to be confused with Sony Flashes), or you can stay with your tried and true Kingston cards, Lexar cards or Sandisk cards. If flash innovation, lens superiority, built in stabilization and fast auto-focusing true “live view” are all things you want, I think you might just have to buy Sony Alpha.