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Sony DSLR-A200 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Sony DSLR-A200 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 25 July 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 18 July 2008 - |
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- 4 |
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- 28 March 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 26 March 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 21 March 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 13 March 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 25 February 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 15 February 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
PopPhoto 's conclusion / rating - 25 July 2008 |
When Sony introduced its first DSLR, the Alpha 100, we liked it enough to name it our 2006 Camera of the Year. While its replacement, the new Alpha 200, doesn't break much new ground, it will certainly give its entry-level competitors a run for their money. And money is the operative word, given the A200's bargain street price of $500 with a 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens ($700 with additional 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens).
As we mentioned in our first look at the A200 (March 2008), the new camera has the same 10.2MP (effective) CCD sensor as its predecessor, placing it on par with other entry-level DSLRs in terms of pixel count. Like all cameras in this class (except for those made by Olympus, with the Four Thirds system), it has an APS-C sized sensor, which in this case gives it a 1.5X lens factor. Sensor-based image stabilization is built right in. Where the Alpha 200 outstrips most: sensitivity, which reaches ISO 3200. That's not only 1 stop more than the A100, but 1 stop more than the Canon EOS Rebel XS and XSi, Olympus E-420, andPentax K200D...
Complete review here
DPReview 's conclusion / rating - 18 July 2008 |
If you're currently in the market for an entry-level DSLR and you've come across the Sony DSLR-A200 one of the first things you have probably noticed is its incredibly tempting price point. If your budget is limited the A200 is by default one of your top options. But does it actually provide value for money or would you be better off spending a little extra and getting a competing model?
As usual, there is no easy answer and it will entirely depend on your specific needs. Feature-wise the A200 provides all the essentials but there are better specified and more customizable cameras in the entry-level segment. Most notably the A200 is lacking a live-view system which is featured by most of its direct competitors. Only you can tell if you actually need this (and if you do, and would otherwise be happy with the A200, you should probably consider the Sony A300) but is has almost become a standard, even in the bottom bracket of the market. On the other hand you do get dust reduction and an efficient image stabilization system, something you could not necessarily expect at the A200's price point.
The A200's plastic surfaces look and feel a little cheap but the overall build quality can be described as solid. The control layout and the menu structure are simple and intuitive but from an ergonomics point of view there is one major point of complaint. When in shooting mode the multi-controller to the right of the screen is programmed to trigger the AF. For most people this might not be a problem but it was for us. A number of left-eyed photographers in the dpreview office repeatedly, and unwillingly, operated the button with their noses when looking through the viewfinder. This caused quite a few out-of-focus shots and can be extremely annoying. So if you're considering the A200 I can only recommend you check beforehand if it is compatible with your facial features...
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 28 March 2008 |
Viewed in isolation, the A200 is an unremarkable re-working of the A100, with slightly improved auto-focusing, a more Sony-like, refined control layout with less dials and more menu screens, and the same great image quality up to ISO 800. Current A100 owners won't want to upgrade to the A200 - if they do, they'll actually lose the mirror-lockup and depth-of-field preview features that the A100 offers.
Viewed as part of Sony's grand master-plan, however, the A200 makes much more sense, forming the basis of Sony's DSLR future, with the A200, A300 and A350 all sharing the same body, dust-reduction system, built-in image stabilizer, battery and portrait grip. The A300 and A350 both additionally offer live view and a vertically tilting screen, whilst the A350 also increases the megapixel count, so consumers can now pick the exact camera that they want, albeit at extra cost. After heavy investment in the Konica Minolta platform, Sony now have a consistent and importantly competitive system that covers everything from the entry-level A200 to the prosumer A700, with the A300 and A350 sitting in-between.
If you have no investment in a DSLR system and you're looking for an entry-level model, the Sony A200 is a real alternative to the likes of the Nikon D60, Canon EOS 450D and Olympus E-510. It may not be the most exciting camera on paper, with no Live View and "only" a 10 megapixel sensor, but in practice it's an easy-to-use, solid proposition from which you can confidently upgrade in the future to a more feature-rich model. Which is almost certainly what Sony intended...
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 26 March 2008 |
Back when we reviewed the Alpha 100, the amateur or entry-level dSLR market was pretty competitive. These days, that's an understatement. Instead of only releasing one camera in this class each year to year and a half, camera makers like Sony are producing two or more. This, coupled with falling prices has made it quite difficult for the amateur or novice users to decide on which model to buy; especially if they are just making the jump into the dSLR world. The Sony Alpha 200/DSLR-A200 is a worthy competitor in the entry-level market, offering awesome image quality, robust performance, great ergonomics and loads of useful exposure options. One feature that stands out is the Super SteadyShot option. While many manufactures (Panasonic, Canon, etc.) are starting to offer stabilized lenses with these dSLR kits, the A200 features an effective anti-shake system that works not matter what type of glass you are using. This means many of the other models in this class with require you to purchase more expensive image stabilized lenses to achieve the same level of low light shooting performance. That said, with an MSRP of US$699 for the DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 zoom kit or US$899 for the dual lens (DT 18-70mm and a 75-300mm f4.5-5.6 lens) kit, I highly recommend the A200 to anyone who is in the market for an affordable and capable consumer level digital SLR. ...
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DCResource 's conclusion / rating - 21 March 2008 |
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 is a very capable entry-level D-SLR that needs improvement in one important area: JPEG photo quality. The A200 offers a lot of bang for the buck, with its 10 Megapixel CCD, built-in image stabilization, snappy performance, and great battery life. If you keep the ISO sensitivity low, the photo quality is very good. However, increasing the sensitivity (especially in low light) kicks the camera's noise reduction system in high gear, giving photos a soft appearance, with smudged details. Sure, you can get much better results by shooting in RAW mode, but my belief is that JPEGs should look just as good. If you're into post-processing your photos, then I can highly recommend the DSLR-A200. If you don't want to fuss with your computer to get the most out of the camera, then you might want to consider something else.
The DSLR-A200 is a midsize digital SLR with a sturdy plastic shell over a metal frame. While its price may be entry-level, the A200's construction is not. The right hand grip is just the right size, with other controls within easy reach of your fingers. Like all of Sony's digital SLRs, the A200 uses the Alpha lens mount that was created by Minolta many years ago. That gives the A200 backward compatibility with scores of lenses, plus all the new ones being developed by Sony. And, with built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, almost every one of those lenses will have shake reduction as soon as you attach it. The sensor-shift system does double duty on the A200, also acting as a dust reduction system when the camera is turned off. On the back of the camera you'll find a 2.7" LCD display, up from 2.5" on the DSLR-A100. The screen is used only for menus and reviewing photos you've taken -- there's no live view here. The optical viewfinder is on the small side (0.83X magnification) and is pretty hard to see through in low light. One old Minolta feature that I wish would go away is the proprietary hot shoe found on the A200 and its cousins. While Sony offers several flashes, you won't be able to use a "standard" external flash with the A200. ...
Complete review here
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 13 March 2008 |
Sony's SLR juggernaut got rolling early in 2008 with the Alpha A200, a simple, inexpensive, 10.2-megapixel digital SLR camera that takes some pretty impressive pictures. There isn't a whole lot to talk about in terms of new or revolutionary features, but that's not a strike against it. Rather than starting a revolution, the Sony A200 refines what was a good camera -- the A100 -- making it better in several important areas. It now confidently competes favorably with similarly priced digital SLR cameras from other manufacturers, and its big brothers, the A300 and A350 add just enough to take on the newcomers. Though it comes at a low price, the Sony A200 still offers an array of features that will help you make great pictures. Dynamic Range Optimization successfully makes up for common shortcomings in digital capture by rescuing highlight and shadow detail, and Super SteadyShot optimizes every lens in the line with sensor-shift image stabilization technology that delivers clearer images. The Sony A200's high ISO of 3,200 has noise and softness due to noise suppression, but you can actually get a decent 5x7 from this output, which is impressive.
Autofocus speed was indeed improved in the Sony A200, turning in very fast shutter lag numbers, meaning that you'll more likely get what you see when you press that shutter. Viewfinder blackout time is also quite good, allowing you to better keep your eye on the subject between shots. The Eye-Start AF sensors really do help you acquire focus more quickly, though I do wish it could be activated in concert with a grip sensor as on the A700 to avoid the AF system coming on when the A200 hangs around your neck. Optical performance from the Sony A200's kit lens is actually better than most kit lenses, and the lens has a good quality feel to it...
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Camera Labs 's conclusion / rating - 25 February 2008 |
Sonys Alpha A200 may only sport minor improvements over its predecessor, but holds an important position in the new Alpha range. As discussed above, it represents the entry-level base model upon which subsequent models build. So while it may not have Live View or a higher resolution sensor, both are features you can effectively add by up-selling to the next, or next-but-one model in the range.
After a debut model which owed a lot to the earlier Konica Minolta 5D, the new A200 is a 100% Sony camera with some considerate and consistent touches which tell us more about the companys vision for the range. For example, the four models in the current Alpha line-up now all use the same Info Lithium battery pack, while the A200, A300 and A350 can all use the same optional battery grip. The Info Lithium battery allows all Alphas to display accurate feedback on remaining charge and is a really nice feature over the traditional battery meters with just three or four basic segments.
Of course all Alphas also sport built-in sensor-shift stabilisation and now additionally have a similar user interface and menu system. As other manufacturers chop and change both features and accessories, its refreshing to find Sony take a consistent approach across the entire range....
Camera Labs's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
TrustedReviews 's conclusion / rating - 15 February 2008 |
The Alpha A200 is an important model for Sony, since it is now the entry model for a growing DSLR system. It ticks all the right boxes, with an attractive and easy-to-use design, brisk performance and good picture quality. Its feature set will leave advanced amateurs and semi-pros wanting more, but that's pretty much the idea of an entry-level camera. For the price it offers a comprehensive package for the first-time user with very few problems. Could Sony overtake Nikon this year?...
TrustedReviews's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
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