Sony A200: Entry DSLR Roundup
by Wesley Fink on October 20, 2008 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Sony A200 Full Specifications
Weights and Measurements
- Dimensions (Approx.): (WHD) 5 3/16" x 3 7/8" x 2 13/16" (130.8 x 98.5 x 71.3 mm)
- Weight (Approx.): 1 lb. 2.8 oz (532g) body, not including battery, lens and media
Convenience
- Burst Mode: Up to 3FPS; Unlimited to capacity of media (JPEG L/M/S); Maximum 3 frames (RAW + JPEG); Maximum 6 frames (RAW)
- Color Mode(s): Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, Black and White, Adobe RGB (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)
- Red-Eye Reduction: On/Off (all modes)
- Self Timer: Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
- White Balance: Auto plus 8 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature/Color filter, Custom), each with +/-3 adjustable step
Hardware
- LCD: 2.7" TFT (230k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo design
- Microphone: N/A
- Viewfinder: Optical: TTL, 0.83x magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; 95% coverage
Power
- Battery Capacity: 7.2V, 1600 mAh; CIPA standard: approx. 750 pictures
- Battery Type: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
General
- Imaging Device: 10.2 (effective) APS CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter
- Megapixel: 10.2MP
Convenience Features
- AF Illuminator Light: Yes, On/Off Select
- Clear RAW NR: N/A
- Histogram Display: Yes - RGB, playback only
- Movie Mode(s): N/A
- Multi-Pattern Measuring: 40 Segment, Center Weighted, Spot
- Scene Mode(s): Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait
Processor
- BIONZ Engine: Yes (LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+))
Optics/Lens
- EV Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps
- Exposure: Program Shift: Yes, Command Dial
- Focus: Auto Focus: TTL Phase Detection, Multi-point: 9 Area, 8 Line, 1 Cross Sensor, Auto Focus Mode: Yes, Adjustable Spot AF: Selectable Sensor, Visual Focus Confirm: Direct via Spherical Acute Matte Screen
- ISO: Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200
- Lens Type: Interchangeable A-mount
- Shutter Speed: 30 < 1/4000 sec 52 step, Bulb
Software
- Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh OS X v10.3 or later (OS must be installed at the factory)
- Supplied Software: Image Data Converter SR ver.2.0, Image Data Lightbox SR ver.1.0, (all Windows and Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser Ver.2.1.02 (Windows only)
Operating Conditions
- Flash Effective Range: GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)
- Flash Mode(s): 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)
Inputs and Outputs
- Output(s): Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable
- USB Port(s): Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed
Service and Warranty Information
- Limited Warranty Term: 1 Year Parts and Labor
Accessories Supplied
- DT 18-70mm f3.5 Zoom lens (27 - 105 35mm equivalent), 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Compact Super Telephoto Zoom
- NP-FM500H rechargeable battery
- BC-VM10 battery charger
- Video and USB cables
- Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip
- Body cap
- Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
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32 Comments
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JarredWalton - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
I think particularly in the entry level DSLR arena, using the included lenses for images is important. The pictures of even a moderate DSLR with kit lens should easily surpass what most P&S cameras can manage, which is one of the big attractions. As soon as you get into lenses, however, you open up a huge can of worms.As for the subject material... well, I'll leave it to the photography buffs to debate what should be used. I believe Wes is working on some photos showing what the A200 can do out of a static test environment, but in order to provide any semblance of apples-to-apples shooting comparisons I think you need to do something like the shots Wes uses. I know I for one wish the white balance on my XTi did better under Tungsten lighting.
nowayout99 - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
"...it is easy to forget that many buyers are looking for the absolute best "bang-for-the-buck" in a camera."Really...? Therein lies a divide between AT and readers. Articles for high-end products really aren't appealing to that many people, yet that's almost all we've gotten for cameras.
Even this $500 cam is pretty high-end priced for the vast majority of people that just want something they can take around with them for fun. How about some comparisons of joe schmoe cameras?
strikeback03 - Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - link
On Sunday a friend and I went to a local state park to get some pictures of the leaves. He owns a Canon SD600, a relatively decent couple year old P&S. At one point he was asking me to get some close-ups of a rock face, so instead I tossed my Sigma 18-200 OS on my Rebel XT body (wasn't using either) and let him play with those. I think he is now in the market for an SLR, as some comparison shots he did with his SD600 just blew him away, and that was just in basic JPEG mode.GTVic - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
This is what epinions and CNET is for. I don't think you will find too many serious reviewers who want to spend their time keeping updated on the sub $200 camera market. It is not interesting, there are too many cameras to keep track of and not many people do serious research on that level of purchase.adder - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
well i hope u guys do some lens reviews,and for people who are going in for a entry level dslr may not know much about lenses other then the kits lenses.strikeback03 - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
Is the grip the same as the A100? Between the length and positioning of the shutter release/dial, I found the A100 quite uncomfortable to use. For me either the shorter bodies like the Canon Rebels or the taller ones like Nikon D80/Canon 40D are far more comfortable.FATCamaro - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
It is a great point and shoot camera. I use mine a LOT and couldn't be happier. I use it as a point and shoot except for ISO and flash control. The ISO control is incredible simple and useful. I would reccomend this to to anyone switching up to a DSLR from a shitty point and shoot.DanD85 - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
It seems you forget the still available D40/D40x and I think they perfectly fit in the budget DSLRs you have here.Wesley Fink - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
Ken Rockwell notwithstanding, the D40 is 6 megapixels and the D40x is the previous model to the D60. Both are capable entry DSLRs that have been updated in the D60, which we did test in our comparison.The D40/D40x are 3-point AF, have no sensor cleaning, and come with non-IS kit lenses. Their features have been upgraded on the D60, which is the entry model we tested.
xsilver - Monday, October 20, 2008 - link
also forgotten is the pentax line. The k200d doesnt have live view either but using old lenses on them is a joy.