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For those that absolutely "have to have" a dSLR and absolutely "have to have" a 10x+ superzoom lens on it (kinda defeating the purpose of having a dSLR in my view, but a lot of Nikon noobs seem to disagree), this is the absolute best value around.

The Alpha 100 is new here, even if aged, the 10MP CCD is similar (or the same) to the leading edge around 3 years ago. The lens is as compact as you can get, being designed for the APS-C sized (1.5x crop) sensor that is 66% the dimensions (half the area) of 35mm (like virtually all dSLRs under $1K).

Effective focal length for the 18-200mm is 27-300mm.

The other "superzoom" option for Minolta-Sony mount is the 18-250mm (effective 27-375mm), and most feel it's better. It's actually licensed from Tamron (Pentax does this as well), and several reviews feel it's even better than the Nikon 18-200 when mounted on an IS/SR body (like Pentax and Sony).

In reality, I've tried many superzoom lenses, and they all suck in comparison to a sub-5x zoom. Even a 7x zoom is better, like the Sony 16-105 (which will give you more wide-angle). But at this price, I figured I'd say, "go for it" if you really want this type of combo. It does the job.

Unfortunately the SAL-18200 is not as good a lens as the SAL-18250. The Sony Alpha DSLRs are very good cameras.

Agree #2, but when's the last time you saw a decent superzoom for next to nothing? Most are $500+. The 18-200mm is "good enough." Not as good as the Tamron 18-250mm design (on an IS/SR body, both of which Pentax and Sony license, and several reviews find better than the Nikon 18-200 VR), but still "good enough" for most users.

In general, I hate superzooms. IQ difference with a "real" lens is night'n day.

Anybody know how well the IS works on this camera?

whats so special about this price? Amazon has it for the same price including the same lens...

I got this kit of A100 and 18-200 zoom. It is outstanding and I paid $100 after shopping the web to death.

The best thing about the 18-200 is that you have everything in one piece, you are not dragging along a camera bag of lenses and getting dust on the mirror (my lens has never been off the camera.)

I did a synagogue dedication and then a reception in a hall with almost NO lighting. Of the 440 pictures, I had one that was a little blurry and I was at maximum zoom from the back of the room.

The image stabilization has been absolutely wonderful.

The A700 has more pixels but not much more. The A350 has a tilting display I would never use. For someone who just wants a wonderful quality camera that is easy to use and doesn't want to mess around switching lenses, this is a great deal.

$100 #6? You sure about that?

Of course, if you didn't want to mess around with switching lenses, why get a SLR to begin with. I have this camera and I love it, but there are smaller, lighter, higher-rated point and shoots for much cheaper. A huge advantage of these SLRs is that you can lug around your expensive glass from your old film cameras and use them again! The glass is often better than what you can buy today and often dirt cheap.

Have to agree #7. There are Point'n Shoots that are weather sealed at 10x+, including several that do a 28mm equivalent wide angle. The reduction in IQ really isn't worth buying over a PnS in my book. Especially since most Point'n Shoots have faster f-stops than these slow telezooms, which makes up for the ISO differences.

The price shows as $699 on J&R's website when I just viewed it. Not $600 as the deal states. Was the lower price ever valid?

not a bad value for those new to dSLR