Sony A200
Digital Camera Review
Jul 01, 2008
- By Steve Morgenstern
3.6
Many features of Sony's A200 are identical to its predecessor, the A100: 10.2-megapixel resolution, an image stabilization system built into the camera body, and an automatic dust removal system. The price, though, is significantly different. The A100 originally sold for $999 with the kit lens. The A200 is now selling for just $500 with an 18-70mm kit lens, a bargain price in anyone's book. But does a low price mean low quality? We were pleased to discover that it doesn't, at least in this case. The A200 stands out as a solid, non-fussy piece of gear at a reasonable price, The hands-on testing results that led us to this conclusion follow.
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Specs Table
Sony A200 Specs
Type
DSLR
Price
499.99
Length
5.18
Width
2.81
Height
3.87
Weight
1.12
Mega Pixels
10.80
Effective Pixels
10.20
Sensor Type
APS CCD Sensor
Color Filter System
Primary color
IR Cut Low Pass Filter
Yes
Image Format
RAW, JPEG, RAW + JPEG
Compression
RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG
Lens
18-70mm Zoom Lens + 75-300mm Zoom Lens (kit lens)
Lens Mount
Interchangeable A-mount
Compatible Lenses
Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
Viewfinder
Optical: TTL
Diopter Adjustment
Yes
Frame Coverage
95
Magnification
0.83x
LCD
2.5-inch TFT LCD with 230,000 pixels
Auto Focus Type
TTL Phase Detection
Focusing Modes
Auto, TTL Phase Detection, Multi-point, Adjustable Spot AF
Focusing Points
9 points
AF Assist Illuminator
Yes
Metering Modes
40 Segment, Center Weighted, Spot
Shutter Speed
30 < 1/4000 sec 52 step, Bulb
Self Timer
2 or 10 sec
Speed
Yes
Burst
Yes
Automatic Modes
Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait
Exposure Compensation
+/- 2.0 EV, 1/ 3 EV step
Built in Flash
Built-in Auto Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)
Flash Range
GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)
Sync Contact
Hot shoe
ISO Sensitivity
Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Tempature/Color filter, Custom
Menus
Yes
Direct Printing
Yes
Video Output
Yes
Software
CD-ROM
Battery Power Source
NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Movie Mode
N/A
Ratings
Raw
Weight
Color
8.34
3
Resolution
9.33
3
Noise Auto ISO
4.34
1.15
Noise Manual ISO
10.60
3
Low Light
8.32
3
Dynamic Range
8.27
3
Size Portability
8.00
1
Model Design Appearance
6.75
1.3
Handling
7.50
2
Control Button Positioning Size
7.25
1.85
Front
6.25
0.65
Back
6.50
0.75
Left
5.00
0.5
Right
6.25
0.5
Top
6.50
0.75
Bottom
6.25
0.5
Menu
8.00
1.65
Auto Mode
8.50
1.05
Auto Focus
6.00
3
Focus
5.00
1.5
ISO
8.50
2
White Balance
8.25
2.5
Exposure
9.00
1.75
Meterng
7.50
2
Shutter Speed
10.00
1.75
Aperture
0.00
0
Custom Image Presets
6.00
0.5
Drive Mode
7.25
2.5
Picture Quality Options
6.90
1.25
Picture Effects Mode
7.50
2.15
Playback Mode
7.75
1.5
Movie Mode
0.00
0
Viewfinder
8.25
2
LCD Screen
4.75
1.75
Flash
6.50
1.75
Lens Mount
7.00
1.75
Memory
3.00
0.5
Battery
10.00
1.95
Startup 1st Shot
6.60
3
Shot Shot
2.65
3
Shutter Shot
5.19
3
Software
4.75
1.25
Jacks / Ports / Plugs
3.25
1
Direct Print Options
6.00
0.4
Ease of Use
8.25
0.75
Other Features
6.25
0.75
Value
8.00
2.5
Processing Speed
3.40
3
Total (weighted)
581.45
Sample Photos Page 13 of 13
