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 for easy playback viewing - its vibrant, easy-to-view screen features 230K-pixel resolution, an anti-reflection coating and 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 |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Most Liked Positive Review
A great buy
Love this camera. Easy to use....For a novice or someone who loves photography.
A great buy and takes amazing pictures. Well worth every cent. My choices were the ...Read complete review
Love this camera. Easy to use....For a novice or someone who loves photography.
A great buy and takes amazing pictures. Well worth every cent. My choices were the Nikon D60, Canon XTi and the Alpha 200. All great cameras as these are 2 of the most popular competitors to this camera. It was the antishake technology and battery life that sold me (plus a great price).
I thought it would take a while before I would see great pictures.....I have not taken a bad one yet. My husband who barely even uses a camera took pictures that a pro would envy. (I did.)
This camera does not have Active view (like the Alpha 300 and 350) but I surprizingly found that I prefer the viewfinder instead, and didn't even miss it.
Minolta AF mount lenses fit this camera, which is a plus and gives lots of options.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Ok Beginner DSLR
PROS: Cheap, entry level DSLR
-Built in Anti-Shake
-Long battery Life
-Nice LCD
Cons:
-Very Loud
-Images above ISO 200 are very noisy
PROS: Cheap, entry level DSLR
-Built in Anti-Shake
-Long battery Life
-Nice LCD
Cons:
-Very Loud
-Images above ISO 200 are very noisy
-75-300 Lens is unsharp above 150mm
-slow, loud, and hunty focus
-Hard to find GOOD lenses for
Bottom line: If you are looking for a good beginner camera, this may be for you. For a little more money though, you could get a nikon D60, or a canon Xti, which are in my opinion better quality, and much easier to find lenses for.
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Reviewed by 23 customers
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
It takes high quality pics, but it takes to much time to process them.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I did a lot of research into getting my first DSLR and considered Nikon, Canon and Sony. To start with, Sony was my last preference. But as [...] I played around with the models they had, Sony SLRs did not seem that bad. Of course Nikon and Canon are a little better (at least they are supposed to be) but with the deal from [...], I had to slowly start considering the A200 more. Why Sony rather than the other two? I am not willing to shell out big money for zoom lens with image stabilization required for Nikon and Canon DSLRs. Also, the base price itself is quite more than the Sony. The specs are almost all the same for models at the beginner level. Why A200 rather than the other models in Sony? The only difference between the A200 and A300 is the Live view and tilt screen which really did not matter to me. Sealing the deal was the 75-300mm zoom lens that came with the camera in addition to the 18-70mm lens. Even after getting the camera, I was concerned thinking about how it would perform. Initially I had a little trouble but once I read the manual(this is inevitable in any camera if you want to use it fully), I understood the functions a lot more and started to enjoy using the camera a lot more. Both lens are awesome and the pictures just get better and better. I am totally impressed and would recommend this to anyone going to get their first DSLR. It is worth every penny.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I bought this camera as my first DSLR camera, and loved it. Took it to Jamaica, and took some great pictures. A nice starter DSLR camera. Very easy to use, controls are well placed, and well defined.
I only upgraded to the Canon 50D because I needed something more advanced.
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Cons
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
PROS: Cheap, entry level DSLR
-Built in Anti-Shake
-Long battery Life
-Nice LCD
Cons:
-Very Loud
-Images above ISO 200 are very noisy
-75-300 Lens is unsharp above 150mm
-slow, loud, and hunty focus
-Hard to find GOOD lenses for
Bottom line: If you are looking for a good beginner camera, this may be for you. For a little more money though, you could get a nikon D60, or a canon Xti, which are in my opinion better quality, and much easier to find lenses for.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I just purchased this after Christmas and wish I would have had it before to capture all those holiday memories - the pictures are so much better than my little digital camera. I'm looking forward to taking better pictures in 2009 for my family's scrapbook!
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I got this camera in order to step up from point and shoot cameras and to begin to learn about more in depth photography techniques. This camera is great its helped me get well on the way to capturing great photos. So far ive mainly used it in Auto mode and have had great results. Im just beginning to experiment in Manual and the possibilites are endless as to what i am going to learn. The interface is very easy to access all the different functions and the camera is solidly built and feels strong in my hands. I must say i have been very happy with this camera so far and i feel that i will continue to be satisfied with it.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
nice camera.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
Enjoy nature photography.
This model will fit all my current lenses.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
Perfect kit for people looking for a good camera with optional lenses.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
Great camera for any level - beginner or advanced. Compatible with Minolta lenses - huge plus.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I have a fuji P&S and it takes wonderful photos, however I wanted to look like a pro. I purchased this camera and after one wedding shoot, I am now scheduled to do 4 more. Easy to operate and I take exceptional shots with it. The additional len is a special bonus
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
At this price point you just can't go wrong with this camera package. Image quality is excellent and camera features are great. Highly recommended.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
[...] I like the simplicity of the camera. I have been shooting video for over 7 years and needed a camera that would allow me to shoot pictures on the run. It allows me to shoot action sports and so much more!I would highly recommend this camera!
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
If you're in the market for an entry-level DSLR, the Sony DSLR-A200 probably has an incredibly tempting price point. If your budget is limited the A200 is by default one of your top options. The Sony DSLR-A200 is a solid overall performer that does not have any major flaws and comes with a feature set that is more than adequate for its very attractive price point.
Pros:
Good detail at lowest sensitivities
Class leading battery life
Sophisticated AF system for this class of camera
Large viewfinder
Solid construction
Cons:
AF button (multi-controller) can unintentionally be operated with your nose
Longer than average start-up time
Poor white balance performance in artificial light
High ISO noise reduction blurs a lot of detail
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I really love this camera - the results are spectacular. I have taken it to every special event , two major zoos and a ten day trip in Costa Rica. It performs better than I had ever hoped it would. After 25 years of experience, this was just the product I needed to get to the next level. This is my third digital camera in 6 years.
I have found that it does not always want to focus on non-human faces. Anything with dark hide or fur may take longer than expected.
Warning - if you are switching from other cameras, you CANNOT compose a shot on the LCD - only the eyepiece! Not a bad thing, but it was a change for me and how I approached digital photography.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
A long time Minolta guy, I used my 35mm SLR Maxxum for nearly 20 years before replacing it. I love the SONY Alpha because I can use all my AF Minolta lenses with it, saving me thousands of dollars. I am amazed at the amount of technology and features designed into this camera. It takes digital technology to a level not common for this price range. The operation of the camera is simple, and it has proven to be as reliable as any SLR I have ever owned in the past. The best part of all, is making enlargements of the digital photos I have taken. They look incredible on the computer screen, and they print beautifully. As with any SLR with the proper optics to get the job done, the SONY Alpha can be fitted with a UV Filter, polarizer or any other enhancement filters you would use to improve a shot.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I have used it to capture fireworks, family, and parties, so far and am looking forward to getting to know it better.The only thing that I have not liked so far was the directions on removing the rubber eyecup. Still, [$] is fixing that lesson!The people I have shared it with really like it and like the fact that it is not as heavy as some others.I am enjoying it and highly recommend it.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I bought this to replace my broken point and shoot. I use it mainly for taking action shots of my kids and sporting events.
It is a fantastic entry level DSLR camera. It is very easy to use yet still offers a lot of advanced functionality as you increase your photography knowledge.
There is nothing about this camera that I do not like.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
Bought this camera so i could use my minolta lens while my nikon was in the shop for the second time.This camera performs better than my nikon.
The colors Are true to life and require NO post processing in photoshop.The kit lens is well a kit lens (its ok) but my minolta glass works well and gives exellent results.I Wold like to try the Zeiss glass.no complaints. Cant wait to see sonys pro model due out this year (full frame 24 mp)
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A200 SLR Digital Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 75-300mm Lens:
I've shot various film SLRs for about 20 years, and this was my first move to digital SLR. Ready to shoot out of the box, easy setup and controls, great images, just a joy to shoot. Very happy I went w/ this camera.
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