Review based on a production Alpha DSLR-A200 with firmware version 1.0
Sony's start into the world of Digital SLRs was quite a slow paced one. The first Sony branded model, the A100, appeared on the scene in June 2006 and it took over a year for it to be joined by a companion, the A700 prosumer model which was launched in September 2007. More recently though Sony has stepped up a gear and launched not one, but three cameras to replace the A100 - the DSLR A200, A300 and A350.
There is now something for everybody in the Sony line-up. The A350 for the feature-loving photographer on a budget, the A200 for those whose number one buying criterion is value-for-money and the A300 for bargain hunters who want a balance of the two. The A200 is, in terms of specification, not a million miles away from the veteran A100. It's got a larger screen, comes with an ISO3200 mode and user controlled High ISO noise reduction but in turn lacks the A100's depth of field preview (it's unsurprisingly much cheaper though).
Sony is not the only manufacturer which is diversifying its offerings in the entry-level sector and the A200 will have to face fierce competition in the bottom bracket of the market. Let's see how it shapes up on the following pages.
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10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD |
Bionz Image Processor |
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| The Super SteadyShot system moves the sensor to compensate for user shake. The appearance of the mechanism suggests it may be the unit from the A700 (and A350). | |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2007 Dpreview.com and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey
Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization (Body) | $140.00 |
Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens | $279.71 |
Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization (Body) | $140.00 |
Sony SLT-A58K SLT-A58 with 18-55mm Zoom Lens, 20.1MP DSLR Camera w/ 3" LCD Screen (Black) + Sony SAL-552002 DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Telephoto Lens + Sony 32GB Memory Card + Sony Small System Case + Accessory Kit | $598.00 |
Sony Alpha A230L 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm Lens | $428.99 |
Sony SLT-A58K Digital SLR Kit with 18-55mm Zoom Lens, 20.1MP SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Black) | $498.00 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A58 Translucent Mirror Technology Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-55mm Lens with 55-200mm Lens + 32GB Card + Case + Battery + Tripod + Filters + Tele/Wide Lens Kit | $599.95 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A65 Translucent Mirror Technology Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-55mm Lens with DT 55-200mm Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Filter + Sling Backpack + Telephoto & Wide-Angle Lens + Accessory Kit | $819.95 |
Sony Alpha A380Y 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses | $1,499.00 |
Sony a3000 Interchangeable Lens Digital 20.1MP Camera | $398.00 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A65 Translucent Mirror Technology Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-135mm Lens with 70-300mm Lens + 32GB Card + LED Flash + Case + Tripod + Remote + Filters + Telephoto & Wide-Angle Lenses + Accessory Kit | $1,079.95 |
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