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Sony Alpha 200

Reviews	Views	Date of last review
1	1638	Tue May 5, 2009

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	None indicated	9.0

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Find the lowest price for the Sony Alpha 200

Description:

• 10.2 effective megapixel CCD sensor plus optimised BIONZ processor for enhanced picture quality, reduced image noise and responsive operation
• High sensitivity up to ISO3200 with high-ISO noise reduction for successful handheld shooting in low light without flash
• D-Range Optimiser adjusts brightness and contrast for beautifully-exposed backlit scenes
• Enhanced Super SteadyShot image stabilisation offers 2.5-3.5 steps anti-shake performance with all α-mount lenses
• Large 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD with easy-to-use function display and percentage battery life indicator
• Improved 9-point centre cross AF with EyeStart activation for fast, accurate focusing
• Continuous shooting at 3fps (JPEG Fine mode, limited by memory card capacity)
• High-capacity InfoLITHIUM battery allows up to 750 shots between charges (CIPA measurement)
• Dual anti-dust system protects sensor during lens exchange

A200 Key Features

• Camera type: Digital SLR with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses
• Lens mount: Compatible with Sony A lenses and Konica Minolta/Minolta MAXXUM/ DYNAX lenses
• Image sensor: APS-C size CCD with anti-dust system
• Sensor resolution: 10.2 effective megapixels
• Image processor: Sony BIONZ engine
• Image stabilisation: Super SteadyShot with approx. 2.5 – 3.5 EV decrease in shutter speed (actual stabilisation depends on shooting conditions and lens)
• Noise reduction: Long exp. & High ISO NR at ISO1600 / 3200
• Creative Styles: Preset modes: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B/W, Adobe RGB. Adjustable parameters: Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness
• D-Range Optimiser operating modes: Off, Standard, Advanced
• Scene Selection modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait / Night View
• Viewfinder: Field of view: 95% / Magnification: 0.83x
• AF system: TTL phase detection, centre-cross 9-point
• Sensitivity: ISO100 - 3200 equivalent(Recommended Exposure Index)
• Light metering: 40-segment honeycomb with multi-segment, spot and centre weighted modes
• Flash modes: Auto, Fill-in, Wireless, Rear, High Speed Synchro and Slow Synchro (Wireless and High Speed Synchro modes require optional accessory flash HVL-F56AM or HVL-F36AM)
• Built-in flash system: Auto popup (GN 12) with manual popup button
• Shutter speed range: 1/4000 sec. - 30 sec., bulb (Flash sync speed 1/160 sec.)
• Continuous shooting rate: Up to approx. 3 fps
• Max no. of frames: JPEG Fine/Std: unlimited (until memory card is full), RAW+JPEG: 3, RAW: 6 recordable (continuous)
• Monitor screen: Transparent TFT / 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD (230k dots) with AR coating Histogram display Brightness, RGB
• Function menu: Camera Function Display with direct control of Flash Mode, AF Mode, WB, Metering Mode, AF Area, DRO
• Battery type: NP-FM500H with InfoLITHIUM % power remaining display on screen
• Battery life: Approx. 750 shots (CIPA measurement)
• Vertical control grip: VG-B30AM (optional) accepts up to 2x NP-FM500H batteries
Recording media: CompactFlash card: Type I, Type II (Microdrive)Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo with optional adaptor.
• Dimensions: (WxHxD) Approx. 130.8 x 98.5 x 71.3 mm (excl. protrusions)
• Weight: Approx. 532 g (w/o batteries or memory card)

Keywords:

Sony DSLR Alpha 200 10mp

Author

olli
Been here a while

Registered: March 2009
Location: Munich
Posts: 298

Review Date: Tue May 5, 2009

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9

Pros:	compact and lightweight without feeling too small or flimsy, image quality is excellent, very intuitive controls
Cons:	supplied kit lens not the best

The A200 was my first DSLR after two years with a digital P&S and before that Canon film SLR's.

I'm inclined to the view that all DSLR's these days are good and that the limit will generally be the photographers skill rather than the tool. I compared the A200 in store with the 400D and the D40/D60 and chose the A200 because it felt better to me: good build quality and compact but not too small.

Beyond the handling the one feature of the camera which was significant for me in choosing the A200 rather than the Nikon or Canon options is the body based stabilisation system which effectively means that all lenses benefit from stabilisation.

The layout of buttons and switches etc. is generally good as is the LCD interface for adjusting other settings. Most of these are fairly intuitive and do offer plenty of scope for moving away from auto settings and taking more control.

In short, this is a good camera to learn on. I have had it a year now and, while I occasionally lust after an A700 or an A900 or whatever Sony come out with next at that level, the A200 is still more than adequate for my needs and my experience.

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