9.3 out of 10

Sony DSLR-A200 /K /W

10.2 megapixels

Information found in: from 107 sources in 21 countries.

Best Price: £229

  • User Score (201)
    9.3 9.3 from 201 reviewers
  • Expert Score (26)
    7.7 7.7 from 26 reviewers
  • Design (3)
    9.2 9.2 from 3 reviewers
  • Value for money (63)
    9.6 9.6 from 63 reviewers
  • Features (60)
    9.1 9.1 from 60 reviewers
  • Ease of use (14)
    9.3 9.3 from 14 reviewers
  • Performance (3)
    9.3 9.3 from 3 reviewers
  • Picture quality (57)
    9.2 9.2 from 57 reviewers
  • Buzz Index: 0/5
  • Activity: 1/5
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DSLR-A200 /K /W

Sony’s Alpha A200 is a relatively minor revamp to the electronics giant’s first digital SLR, the A100, which itself was a more significant step up from the Konica Minolta 5D. The Sony A200 is lighter and smaller than the A100. Sony claims improvements to the Sony A200’s AF system that will make focus acquisition 1.7 times faster, thanks to the high-torque AF motor and improved AF sequence borrowed from the A700. Sony’s Alpha-mount lens system is the oldest SLR autofocus system in the…

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DSLR-A200 /K /W

Sony’s Alpha A200 is a relatively minor revamp to the electronics giant’s first digital SLR, the A100, which itself was a more significant step up from the Konica Minolta 5D. The Sony A200 is lighter and smaller than the A100. Sony claims improvements to the Sony A200’s AF system that will make focus acquisition 1.7 times faster, thanks to the high-torque AF motor and improved AF sequence borrowed from the A700. Sony’s Alpha-mount lens system is the oldest SLR autofocus system in the business, going back 28 years, so there’s a broad and growing selection of lenses to choose from.

Features

The Sony A200’s 10.2-megapixel sensor is the same resolution as its predecessor, but it’s said to let more light reach each pixel for lower noise and more detail. To match the sensor’s 3:2 aspect ratio, the Sony A200’s 2.7-inch "Clear Photo" LCD has an anti-reflective coating and 230,000 pixels. A new LCD-based function menu replaces the old dial-based function menu on the A100, and many of the menu functions and systems from the Sony A700 are alike. New to the Sony A200 is a pop-up flash. Like most other digital SLRs, the user deploys the flash with a button on the left side of the lens mount housing, by the Sony A200’s big orange Alpha logo. The old battery icon has been augmented with a "percent remaining" indicator on the Sony A200. Sony has created a new vertical battery grip (VG-B30AM) for the Sony A200 that duplicates many of the controls necessary for vertical shooting, and holds two InfoLITHIUM batteries, making the camera capable of shooting up to 1,500 shots. Eye-start Autofocus, also from the A100, starts up the autofocus system so the Sony A200 is ready before you even match your eye up to the frame in most cases. Super SteadyShot sensor-based stabilization reduces blurry images with any lens mounted. Sony claims up to 3.5 stops of extra exposure with their body-based image stabilization system. Anti-dust is also built in, with a static-free coating on the CCD’s filter that is shaken each time the camera is powered off. The Sony A200 kit (DSLR-A200K) comes with a DT 18-70mm (3.9x) f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. A separate Sony A200 kit (DSLR-A200W) includes two lenses: the DT 18-70mm mentioned above and a 75-300mm f/4.6-5.6 telephoto zoom.

External Resources

Imaging Resource

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Manufacturer's Specs

Lens Mount

  • Sony α mount
    YES
  • Compatibility with A-Mount bayonet lenses from Minolta and Konica Minolta
    YES

Lens Compatibility

  • All types of Sony α lenses
    YES
  • Minolta & Konica Minolta α/MAXXUM/DYNAX lenses
    YES

Image Sensory

  • Image sensor type
    CCD Sensor
  • Image sensor colour filter
    R, G, B, Primary color
  • Size (mm)
    23.6x15.8 (APS-C size)

Camera

  • Total sensor Pixels (megapixels)
    10.8
  • Effective Pixels (megapixels)
    10.2
  • A/D Conversion ( Bit depth)
    12

Review Summary

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  • 10.2 effective megapixel CCD sensor plus optimised BIONZ processor for enhanced picture quality, reduced image noise and responsive operation
  • High sensitivity up to ISO 3200 with high- ISO …

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  1. 23 April 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Value for money 8
    8.0
    Features 8
    8.0
    Ease of use 8
    8.0
    Performance 8
    8.0
    Picture quality 5
    5.0
     

    The A200 gives you a lot for your money, but it lacks that little ‘spark’ to make it truly desirable. It’s a bit bulky, a bit cheap-feeling and not the best camera to handle. The kit lens isn’t great. The Sony’s a decent, sensible buy, but won’t set the world alight. Read more

  2. Reviewer: ePHOTOzine
    22 April 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Features 7
    7.0
    Performance 8
    8.0
     

    There are points both for and points against the Sony Alpha A200. I like the performance of the processor, the weight and easy to use interface. Read more

  3. Sony A200

    Reviewer: PhotographyBLOG
    09 April 2008
    Overall 9
    9.0
    Design 9
    9.0
    Value for money 9
    9.0
    Features 9
    9.0
    Ease of use 9
    9.0
    Picture quality 9
    9.0
     

    Viewed in isolation, the A200 is an unremarkable re-working of the A100, with slightly improved auto-focusing, a more Sony-like, refined control layout with less dials and more menu screens, and the same great image quality up to ISO 800. Current A100 owners won't want to upgrade to the A200 - if they do, they'll actually lose the mirror-lockup and depth-of-field preview features that the A100 offers. Viewed as part of Sony's grand master-plan, however, the A200 mak... Read more

  4. Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

    Reviewer: CNET
    18 March 2008
    Overall 7
    7.0
     

    The Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 is a solid entry-level dSLR, but it doesn't really stand out in its very competitive field Read more

  5. Sony DSLR-A200K Digital Camera Review

    Reviewer: Gadget Heaven
    03 March 2008

    Zoom Lens Kit The DSLR-A200K kit includes the DSLR-A200 digital camera and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens, for enhanced creative options and control. Sony’s dual anti-dust system protects the camera’s sensor during lens exchange. There are 20 optional interchangeable lenses and lighting systems that are compatible with the A200 to really enhance your photography experience. Read more

  1. Another 5 star Sony!

    Reviewer: thebigc1690, Ciao
    16 September 2008
    Overall 10
    10
    Value for money 10
    10
    Ease of use 10
    10
    Picture quality 8
    8.0
     

    These are all little things that make the Sony A200 the best entry level camera there is to date and make it the one I will certainly be recommending to anyone that asks for the foreseeable future. Read more

  2. Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A200K: Sony set new budget D-SLR benchmark

    Reviewer: sidthegeek, Dooyoo
    07 July 2008
    Overall 10
    10
    Features 8
    8.0
    Ease of use 8
    8.0
    Picture quality 10
    10
     

    If you are looking for an entry level Digital SLR camera I would say that you can do no better than the Sony Alpha 200. Recently I was looking to purchase a digital SLR after my Canon EOS 650 started to develop a sticky shutter. Looking around for a beginners Digital SLR, the choice for me was between the Nikon D60 and the Canon EOS 400D. I always thought my preference would be for the Canon . Looking around at prices, I found this, and £100 cheaper than the other two... Read more

  3. 21 June 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    As an addendum to my review: the A-200 with 18-70mm kit lens is back on sale for $499 - an incredible buy! Read more

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Video Reviews

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