One body, two lenses for less than $1,000

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Lori Grunin, Senior Editor September 24, 2009

Whether you're a complete newbie or simply a photographer starting out with a new SLR system, dual-lens kits are a cost effective solution for getting the coverage you'll need for most of the shooting situations you'll encounter. While some people's needs will never expand beyond these first couple of lenses, many will eventually opt for different focal ranges or better (faster or sharper) versions of the lenses they've already got. But even then it's always nice to have a spare lens that you don't have to worry about damaging. (Note: there's also a Nikon D5000 kit with the same lenses as the D3000 kit that just slips in under $1,000, but won't fit in the chart.)

More Resources: Digital SLR buying guide,; Digital cameras forum,; Indecent Exposure podcast

Features
Product name	Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 (with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses)	Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 (black, with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses)	Olympus E-620 (with 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses)	Pentax K2000 (with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses)	Nikon D3000 (with 18mm-55mm and 55mm-200mm lens)	Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 (with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses)
Price	$594.95 to $699.99	$599.00 to $849.99	$749.00 to $799.99	$589.00 to $599.99	$646.95 to $649.99	$799.00 to $799.99
CNET editors' rating	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
Average user rating			4.5 stars
Review date	July 16, 2009	July 16, 2009	May 28, 2009	June 08, 2009	September 24, 2009	August 12, 2009
The Bottom Line	The Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 is a solid entry-level dSLR that will surely have its fans, and it's a better deal than its slightly higher-end sibling, the A330.	The Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 is a solid entry-level dSLR that will surely have its fans, but unless you really want Live View, its cheaper sibling, the A230, is a better deal.	While it's a solid budget dSLR with good photo quality and a host of advanced features, the Olympus E-620 still falls behind the competition on most counts.	Speedy performance lifts the Pentax K2000 above the cheap-dSLR masses, but bad default settings make it an iffy choice for newbies.	Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.	While the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is a solid inexpensive dSLR with a few nice features that will probably satisfy many shooters, it doesn't deliver quite enough on any front to outshine competitors.
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Lens aperture	F/3.5-5.6	F/3.5-5.6	F/3.5-5.6	F/3.5-5.6	F/3.5-5.6	F/3.5-5.6
Optical zoom	3 x	3 x	3 x	3 x	3 x	3 x
Light sensitivity	ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400 ISO 800 ISO 1600 ISO 3200 ISO auto	ISO auto ISO 100-3200	ISO 100-3200 ISO auto (200-3200)	ISO 100-3200 ISO auto (100-3200)	ISO 3200 ISO 100-1600 ISO auto (100-1600)	ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400 ISO 800 ISO 1600 ISO 3200 ISO auto
Display (projector) technology	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix
Video input type	Digital camera	Digital camera	Digital camera	Digital camera	Digital camera	Digital camera
Weight	15.9 oz	17.3 oz	16.8 oz	1.1 lbs	17.1 oz	17.2 oz
Effective sensor resolution	10,200,000 pixels	10,200,000 pixels	12,300,000 pixels	10,200,000 pixels	10,200,000 pixels	14,200,000 pixels
Still image format	RAW JPEG RAW + JPEG	RAW JPEG RAW + JPEG	RAW JPEG RAW + JPEG	JPEG DNG (RAW) PEF (RAW)	JPEG NEF (RAW) RAW + JPEG	RAW JPEG RAW + JPEG
Display (projector) diagonal size	2.7 in	2.7 in	2.7 in	2.7 in	3 in	2.7 in
Manual focus	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic
Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications
Buying choices	Amazon.com $594.95 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $599.88 In stock: Yes Sony Electronics, Inc. $699.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 8 authorized stores	B&H Photo-Video $599.99 In stock: Yes Amazon.com $599.00 In stock: See Site Sony Electronics, Inc. $599.99 In stock: No Prices from 5 authorized stores	Beach Camera $749.00 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $749.88 In stock: Yes Amazon.com $799.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 11 CNET Certified stores	Buydig.com $589.00 In stock: Yes Beach Camera $589.00 In stock: Yes Amazon.com Marketplace $599.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 3 CNET Certified stores	Buydig.com $646.95 In stock: Yes Beach Camera $646.95 In stock: Yes Crutchfield $649.99 In stock: Preorder Prices from 4 authorized stores	B&H Photo-Video $799.99 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $799.99 In stock: Yes Sony Electronics, Inc. $799.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 4 authorized stores