After a year-long stint as the company’s debut DSLR, the A100 finally has a successor. It isn’t much different, though: Sony markets it as “faster, lighter, and easier to use,” according to their January 6 press release. The Sony α DSLR-A200 comes with the same 10.2 megapixels and many of the same features, like built-in optical image stabilization and dust removal systems. When the A100 was released a year ago, it sold for $899 with a kit lens. The new Sony A200 will still come with a lens, but will retail for much less at $699. It will be available in February.
Our video preview of this new SLR from the CES show in Las Vegas is below; click on the play icon to view
Physical Tour
Front
The Sony DSLR-A200’s front looks very similar to its predecessor. It has the molded hand grip on the left with a thick divot near the top for the index finger. Also near the top is a sensor for the optional remote control. Behind it, the jog dial and shutter release button can be seen, although they are more visible from the top.
To the right of the hand grip is the α A200 label, printed in white. The lens mount appears on the right half of the front like most DSLRs. Directly above the lens mount is the pop-up flash unit, which has a large Sony logo engraved into its front and is painted white against the stark black body. In the upper right corner of the front is an orange α label that resembles a fish; just a little more branding at work here. In the lower right corner is a label to show off the camera’s 10.2 megapixels. On the right edge of the lens mount is a large lens release button.
Back
The back of the A200 has very few changes from its predecessor. There are a few stylistic alterations in the curve of the camera body, and there is an addition of a function button to the right of the LCD, which is slightly larger. The 2.7-inch LCD has a small Sony logo at its bottom. To its left is a column of four buttons: menu, display, delete, and playback. These aren’t as recessed into the camera body as they were on the A100. The Sony A200 has a power switch in the upper left corner, with the large optical viewfinder to its right.
The viewfinder looks at least a half-inch across and is surrounded by a soft rubber eyecup on the top and sides. Below the viewfinder is a sensor that detects whether the face is next to the camera: when faces are near, the camera dims the LCD and boots up the autofocus system so it’s at the ready when you’re ready to shoot.
The hot shoe can be seen above the viewfinder. It looks very different from the standard; its shape isn’t the same and it is a black metal instead of the typical chrome. On the right side of the viewfinder, the tiny diopter adjustment dial peeks out of the protrusion. To its right are two buttons – exposure compensation/AV and AEL – separated by a seam in the camera body.
To the right of the LCD screen is the new function button. This is a change from the A100, which had a dial with several functions on different positions and a function button in its center. Below the new button is the multi-selector, which is black and matches the camera body so well that it’s almost hard to see. There is a central button, labeled “AF,” and a single ring around it with arrows pointing in the four directions. Below this is the Super SteadyShot switch. It moves horizontally rather than vertically, as on the Sony A100.
Left Side
The Sony α DSLR-A100’s left side has a pop-up flash unit visible at the top, a grooved mode dial at the top of the shoulder, and a chrome neck strap eyelet at its edge. There is a flash button near the front. Below the strap eyelet is a large rubber cover that protects the remote and DC-in jacks. The rubber cover has a nice large finger grip that makes it much easier to pry open than most digital camera port covers. In front of the jacks is a switch that moves upward to the autofocus and downward to manual focus.
Right Side
The fat hand grip on the right side is shaped like someone lightly squeezed Play-Doh. There are dips in the rubber surface where fingers can easily rest. The rubber is lightly textured like leather and feels good on the hands. The front half of the grip is covered in the rubber, while the back half is a large plastic door that slides backward and flips open. Beneath the door are two ports: one small port for the USB and AV cables, and one large slot for CompactFlash I and II cards (Memory Stick Duo media can fit with an optional adapter).
Top
The view from above differs greatly from its predecessor. The A100 has a function dial on its left shoulder, but a mode dial occupies that same space on the A200. Both DSLRs have pop-up flash units to the right and hot shoes near the back of the top. The right half of the top looks different, though. The A200 has two circular buttons for self-timer/burst and ISO, while the A100 has a mode dial and only the self-timer/burst button. Both have neck strap eyelets flanking the top and a similar layout at the tip of the hand grip. There is a jog dial at the tip; its edge protrudes slightly. Just behind it is the shutter release button, which is underwhelming considering its DSLR status. Compact digital cameras have bigger and more serious feeling shutter release buttons than this one. The one on the A200 just doesn’t travel as smoothly.
Bottom
Under the hand grip is a door that slides backward and opens to reveal the gaping hole for the battery. Below the lens is a wide base that provides lots of room for the left hand to support it. There is also a metal tripod socket centered beneath the lens mount.
After a year-long stint as the company’s debut DSLR, the A100 finally has a successor. It isn’t much different, though: Sony markets it as “faster, lighter, and easier to use,” according to their January 6 press release. The Sony α DSLR-A200 comes with the same 10.2 megapixels and many of the same features, like built-in optical image stabilization and dust removal systems. When the A100 was released a year ago, it sold for $899 with a kit lens. The new Sony A200 will still come with a lens, but will retail for much less at $699. It will be available in February. 
