Bargain hunters - pay attention to this:
Yes it would be!
Well, it is true. Let me fill you in. Lots of people know that Sony bought Minolta and that some good Minolta lenses will fit today's Sony a-mount cameras. However, those Sony cameras can be expensive. Just price a Sony SLT-A77 II - a thousand dollars!
I have been using an older Sony camera body. In it's day, it was a semi-pro model with all the features you could want in a digital camera. The original list price was $1500.00
I am talking about the Sony SLT-a700. This camera has a good APS-C sensor in it (the same sensor used in the Canon T3i and one of the Nikon models). This sensor, in the Sony a700 captures 12 million pixels. OK, whoa - before you laugh, do you really need more than 12 million pixels? If you generally make 12 x 16 inch prints or smaller, then 12 million pixels are enough.
The Sony A7S full frame sensor camera has only 12 million pixels and working professionals use that model.
Back to my experiment. I bought a Sony SLT-a700 for $220.00 (you can probably find a good used one for $200.00). Mine was used, but like-new with a battery and charger!
I bought a used Sony 18-55mm lens for $30.00
The photos I am getting are nice. Above ISO 1600, there is a bit more noise than with my $1100.00 Sony a99 full-frame camera. But the noise level at ISO 2400 and 3200 still provide usable images at 11 x 14 inch enlargement.
So here is my bargain:
Sony SLT-a700 camera body: $200.00 to $230.00
Sony 18-55mm lens: $30.00 to $40.00
Maxxum 70-210mm f4.0 lens: $60.00
Maxxum 75-300mm f4.5 to f5.6 lens: $80.00
Extra new Sony battery: $30.00
The entire outfit = $400.00 to $450.00
Note: The Maxxum lenses were made by Minolta near the time Sony bought the Minolta operation. There are other good Maxxum lenses, but I recommend you start with the two above.