Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
The Sony Alpha A200 replaces the Sony’s first digital SLR, the A100. The 10 megapixel upgrade is more responsive, lighter, and easier to use. A 2.7-inch LCD screen is provided, but it lacks the Live View found in more expensive models.
The compact body is logically laid out. For example, the image stabilization feature (called Super SteadyShot here) is easily found via a dedicated switch. But those more used to simple point-and-shoot cameras may take some time to overcome the complex displays. Autofocus is snappy and accurate except in low light. The A200 requires CompactFlash storage cards.
Well it may not have much beyond its predecessor (and indeed a couple of the A100’s features have gone missing), but for the money it’s still a great entry-level DSLR which stands-up well against the competition.
I have really enjoyed using this camera. It’s limitations are obvious, it is easy to use, comfortable as all heck, built well, has a nice LCD and a good viewfinder. In short, this camera has grown on me.
If you have no investment in a DSLR system and you’re looking for an entry-level model, the Sony A200 is a real alternative to the likes of the Nikon D60, Canon EOS 450D and Olympus E-510.
The Sony A200’s user interface is among the simplest on the market, which makes it easy to recommend to most beginners.
While many manufactures are starting to offer stabilized lenses with dSLR kits, the A200 features an effective anti-shake system that works not matter what type of glass you are using.
There are points both for and points against the Sony Alpha A200.
Image quality on the A200 is a bit of a double-edged affair. While at base ISO the Sony’s output is fairly clean and detailed things go downhill once you dim the lights and switch your camera to a higher ISO setting.
The A200 still has a 10.2 Megapixel CCD, sensor-shift image stabilization, a dust reduction system, and support for the Alpha lens mount. Naturally, there’s also full manual controls, support for tons of accessories, and the kind of performance that you’d expect from a digital SLR.
The Alpha DSLR-A200, delivers a just-the-facts-ma’am shooting experience. For the most part, it provides the average design, basic feature set, modest performance, and better-than-snapshot photo quality that typifies this market segment: not bad, but not notable in any way, either.
In most other respects the A200 is a completely new camera. It features and improved Super SteadyShot moving-sensor image stabilisation system, improved Bionz image processor, faster focusing, faster shooting speed and a new more ergonomic body.