The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A200 camera is designed to be faster, lighter and easier to use than its predecessor - the DSLR-A100. With its 10.2-megapixel (effective) Super HAD APS-C sized CCD image sensor, the DSLR-A200 camera captures high-quality images with increased sensitivity, reduced image noise, and greater detail. The Sony BIONZ processing engine provides data-rich picture information at high speeds and reduces picture noise in the RAW data stage before image JPEG conversion. The results are high-resolution, detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.
The DSLR-A200 camera also incorporates Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization in the body to allow shooting at shutter speeds of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible, and since the stabilization system is built into the camera body, every compatible lens attached to the camera (including all Minolta Maxxum and Sony Alpha lens) benefits from it. The DSLR-A200 model supports JPEG and RAW file formats, and it records images on CompactFlash (Type I & II) media cards. An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo media cards is sold separately as an accessory.
The camera has other upgraded features including a more compact body with an easily-accessible mode dial; an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); an auto focus speed that is 1.7x faster than the previous model; improved predictive control performance; quieter shutter sound; automatic pop-up flash; and a battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life remaining so you know exactly when to recharge.
The camera's 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen provides easy playback viewing. Its vibrant, easy-to-view screen features 230K-pixel resolution, an anti-reflection coating and a glare-reducing layer that assures vivid, accurate colors with a wide viewing angle, even in daylight. The on-screen navigation display shows camera settings and key shooting information in large, easy-to-read text, and the display's orientation automatically switches from landscape to portrait position when the camera is turned on its side.
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Digital Camera With In-camera Image Stabilization |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | APS-C size (23.6x15.8mm) 10.8 Megapixel Super HAD CCD with RGB Primary Color Filter and Double anti dust system (anti-static coating and CCD shift mechanism) |
| Effective Resolution | 10.2 Million Pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, B/W, AdobeRGB, Dynamic Range Optimizer |
| Image File Formats |
RAW JPEG RAW+JPEG 16:9 JPEG |
| Recorded Resolution |
RAW (3880 x 2600) L (3872 x 2592) M (2896 x 1936) S (1920 x 1280) |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony Alpha (compatible with Minolta A-type bayonet mount) |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.5x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | CCD-Shift Super SteadyShot system |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type |
TTL phase-detection system with Eye-start AF and AF illuminator (9-point Wide Area AF, Spot AF (center), Focus Area Selection (any of 9)) |
| Focus Modes | Single-shot AF, Direct Manual Focus, Continuous AF, Automatic AF, Manual focus, Predictive Focus Control, Focus Lock |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) |
| Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter |
| Shutter Speed |
30 - 1/4000 seconds Bulb |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Exposure Metering | 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC TTL (Multi-segment, Center Weighted, Spot) |
| Exposure Modes | Automatic, Program Auto (with Program Shift), Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual, Scene selection, AE Lock, Exposure compensation (+/-2.0 EV, 0.3 EV step), AE Bracketing (0.3 EV or 0.7 EV increments, 3 frames) |
| White Balance Modes | Automatic White Balance, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom (2500-9900k with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation), White balance bracketing (3 frames, Selectable 2 steps) |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes (Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Flash Sync, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Reduction) |
| Effective Flash Range | 39' (12m) @ ISO 100 |
| External Flash Connection |
Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible with Minolta and select Sony flashes) Wireless off camera flash (with optional compatible accessory flash) |
| External Flash Control | ADI / Pre-flash TTL flash metering with Flash Compensation (±2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps) |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/160 second |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Burst Capability | 3 fps Continuous (limited to 6 frames in RAW) |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds & 2 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No (included in image metadata and available when using PictBridge) |
| Memory & Power | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No |
| Compatible Memory Cards |
CompactFlash (Type I & II) Microdrive Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo media with optional MSAC-MCF1N adapter) |
| File Size | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Battery Type | NP-FM500H Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery |
| Power Adapter | AC Adapter (optional) |
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mass storage or PTP) |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control | Sony Remote Commander (optional) |
| Video Output | NTSC & PAL Selectable |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 2000, XP, Vista Macintosh OS X (10.3 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Fixed eye-level system with roof mirror and spherical acute matte focusing screen, and Diopter Adjustment (-2.5 to +1.0 diopter) |
| Viewfinder Info | AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, spot metering circle, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, flash exposure level), white balance correction, JPEG recording, number of remaining shots, memory card information, Anti-shake system indicator |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | No |
| LCD Display | 2.7" TFT color LCD (230,000 pixels) with Clear Photo LCD Plus design |
| Information Display | Uses 2.5" LCD to present all camera info; Metering mode, Shooting mode, Aperture, AF mode, AF point, Shutter speed, ISO, Shots remaining, Drive mode, Battery level, Exposure compensation setting, Flash compensation setting. |
| Language Options | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian |
| Playback Options | Single Image, Index (4, 9, 16 selectable), Image + text, Image + text + histogram, Enlarged playback (Up to approximately 5x), Luminance limit Display, File browser, Slideshow, Instant bracket playback, Enlarged display, Automatic rotate function, Image correction (Contrast, Color saturation, Sharpness, Hue (5 levels)) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.9 x 5.2 x 2.8" (99 x 131 x 72mm) without lens |
| Weight | 18.8 oz. (532g) without lens & battery |