Sony A200

Value
The A200 is coming out at an affordable price point. This is a smart move, as more and more manufacturers are releasing DSLRs that bridge the price gap between DSLRs and compact models. The old A100 sells for about $600 now and the price will likely drop now that the A200 has been announced, as long as A100’s last (the A200 will replace the A100). The A200 does not sell with a body only. It sells as a kit with an 18-70mm lens for $699, which is affordable, but annoying for someone who may have a similar lens already. The A200 also comes as a kit with 18-70mm and 75-300mm lenses for $899. This isn’t outrageous, but kit lenses aren’t worth the price hike. The Sony A200 isn’t dramatically different from its predecessor, but its price should make it more competitive with DSLRs such as the $599 Pentax K10D and the $699 Nikon D40x (both include kit lenses).

Comparison to the Sony α DSLR-A100
The older A100 has the same 10.2-megapixel resolution and many of the same features. Both DSLRs have Super SteadyShot image stabilization built into the camera. Both cameras also have a dust control system. They have similar viewfinders, but the new A200’s viewfinder isn’t grainy like the A100’s. The controls on the camera body are tweaked a bit, with the biggest different being the function button on the A200, rather than the more easily accessible function dial on the A100. The Sony DSLR-A100 was tested in our imaging lab and came out with decent colors and resolution, great noise control in low light, and impressive dynamic range. It took the A100 a full second to start up and snapped away at the same 3 fps Burst rate. The Sony A100 originally retailed for $999 including the kit lens, but now sells for much less. The A100 also sold as the body only – whereas the A200 comes only as a one or two lens kit – and sells for about $600.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – In general, DSLRs aren’t made for point-and-shooters. The DSLR-A200 is at the more affordable end of the α lineup, though, so it has features to lure these users: an Auto mode and seven Scene modes directly on the mode dial.

Budget Consumers – The A200 costs $699 for the body and an 18-70mm kit lens. This is among the least expensive digital SLRs, so budget consumers who can’t afford the pricier DSLRs but still want the control may be attracted to the A200.

Gadget Freaks – There isn’t any brand new technology introduced on the A200 that will woo gadget freaks. It has image stabilization and dust removal, but the old A100 has those, too. By now, those features have become standard.

Manual Control Freaks – The manual controls are on the Sony A200, but they aren’t as easy to use as on high-end DSLRs. Manual control freaks will not appreciate having to push the exposure compensation button while rotating the jog dial to adjust the aperture in Manual mode.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists – The Sony α DSLR-A200 could be a backup camera for a pro and would certainly qualify as a good camera for an enthusiast. For photographers who have old Konica-Minolta lenses and accessories, it makes sense.