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Face Off: Nikon D80 and Sony A100

By Daniel Lim - 9 Oct 2006

Lenses - Availability and Price

Lenses - Availability and Price

Availability

Professional photographers are able to achieve beautiful macro, ultra-wide landscape and close-up portrait shots because of the flexibility to interchange specific lenses for specific occasions. Hence lens range and availability are as important to photographers as is the body itself. Nikon has a head start in producing DSLR cameras back in the film days and has churned more variety of lenses in the market today when compared to Sony. This is a perhaps the Achilles' heel for the Sony A100. In order to attract more photographers, Sony really has a lot to catch up in this space since they have only eight lens types released so far. Then again, Sony's A100 uses a lens mount that is compatible to most of Konica Minolta's older lenses. So if you are holding onto Konica Minolta lenses, then they are very likely to work with the A100 and future DSLR cameras from Sony.

Price

Since Sony only has limited number of lenses, we can only compare what is available to those that match Nikon's Nikkor lenses based on specifications. Here is the breakdown of their lens models and rough retail value. Do note that some of the Sony lenses might not be available till the end of the year.

Prices of Similar Class of Lenses
Lens Type Sony lens model Price Nikon lens model Price
85mm F1.4 Planar T* 85mm F1.4 (Carl Zeiss) ~ S$2,800 AF Nikkor IF Lens A W/HN-31 S$2,035
300mm F2.8G 300mm F2.8 G S$14,000 AF-S VR Nikkor Lens IF ED S$9,200
16mm F2.8 (Fisheye) 16mm F2.8 Fisheye S$1,600 AF Fisheye Nikkor Lens A S$1,330
50mm F1.4 50mm F1.4 S$699 AF Nikkor Lens S$530
75-300mm F4.5-5.6 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 S$399 AF ZM-Nikkor Lens W/HB-26 S$300
18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DT 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 S$999 AF-S DX VR ZM-Nikkor Lens IF ED S$1,480
1.4X and 2X Teleconverter   S$1,100 each   S$680 each
* Prices of Sony's Lenses are based on estimated reported figures.

On the average, Sony lenses cost a lot more than Nikon lenses. Branding issue aside, the price difference may be attributed to the different quality of materials (glass, plastic and even the motors) used for each lens. Also Sony has a much smaller user base to offer these lenses as opposed to Nikon who obviously has the quantity to move and thus offer better prices. Even so, Sony's prospective A100 buyers should take into consideration of the total cost of ownership as well how inclined and adept they are with Sony's DSLR as opposed to going with Nikon's range if they are going to require a variety of lenses and accessories. Hence, Nikon has the upper edge over Sony for the most part in terms of price where lens and accessories are concerned.

The Nikon AF-S DX VR ZM-Nikkor Lens IF ED 18-200mm lens is the only lens in this comparison table that costs more than Sony's lens. This special Nikkor lens is fitted with the best technology such as anti-handshake VR (Vibration Reduction) technology and silent wave motor (SWM). In the Nikkor lens family, this lens can be considered as one of Nikon's premium quality lenses, thus it comes with a hefty price tag as well. In this range, Sony has yet to announce something similar to Nikon's offering.

On the topic of anti-handshake, this brings us to the next topic. Is lens shifting technique better than CCD module shifting technique for compensating handshakes? That's up on the next page.

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