Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Digital Camera Review

Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

Digital Camera Review

Nov 29, 2006 - By Patrick Singleton
2.5 With the release of the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100, the biggest name in consumer electronics has entered the booming DSLR market. The 10.2-megapixel DSLR has a dust control system and sells with a kit lens for $850, making it very competitive in its category. With built-in Super SteadyShot image stabilization, the A100 has a unique and compelling feature set. But the major features are only part of the story – read on to learn about image quality, usability and detailed performance.
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Sony Alpha A100 Review
 
Likes
- Built-in Super SteadyShot stabilization
- Effective dust control
- Aggressive pricing
- Convenient Dynamic Range system
- Good control display and menu organization
Dislikes
- Parameters dial is slow and clunky
- Plastic construction
- Video port is inside media compartment
- 1/4-second shutter lag
- Inconvenient manual controls
       

Conclusion
The Sony α (alpha) A100 is a good value for users who want stabilization, dust control and 10 megapixels, but don't mind a clunky interface and slow operation. It's a snapshot camera with some very appealing bells and whistles, and it will be a very good fit for casual photographers who want a DSLR, but don't need one.
 
The Sony A100 is an overall disappointment. It's far too similar to the Konica-Minolta cameras it's built on. Those cameras failed in the marketplace, and some of Sony's few and minor changes, such as the parameters dial, aren't improvements. The strategy doesn’t seem to improve a product that didn't sell; it just markets it with a bigger name.
Overall Impressions Page 11 of 12 Specs / Ratings
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