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The Sony Alpha A200 DSLR-Preview and image samples

Note besides this preview you can also jump straight to our full Sony A200 Review.

Sony A200 DSLR hands on report:

Preamble:

AlphaMountWorld now gladly has its hands on Sony's newest DSLR camera, the Alpha A200. A totally new design that one could argue is the first DSLR designed from the ground up by Sony since its acquisition of Konica Minolta. The A200 doesn't in any way resemble past DSLRS designed by KM rather, this new design seems to finally stand out as Sony's true first DSLR.

It would be very tempting to classify the A200 as a direct replacement for the A100 and one could make a compelling argument for that case. However, after AMW counted no less than 21 or more refinements and changes when compared to it's older sibling, granted most changes are minor, this new DSLR has a completely different feel and presence to its function and design over the A100. Therefore we wouldn't necessarily call it a direct replacement, rather a real bona fide entry level DSLR to the Sony Alpha lineup, and leave it at that. We have reason to believe the real replacement for the A100 is currently still being developed behind the steaming curtains in the land of "camera OZ", and well could debut sometime next year, but only OZ knows that for certain.

Although the A200 is targeted for the entry level crowd from a marketing standpoint, it has some features that really make it stand above it's most direct competition ...the Nikon D60, and seems to have raised the bar for entry level DSLRS in general. On paper, we think the Pentax K200 gives the Alpha much more competition, but Nikon's name will probably outsell both the Sony and the Pentax combined, and photographers will be missing out on the better of the cameras as a result. Indeed it pays to do your homework. Sony seems to have elbowed its way to the front with the big competition introducing the budget priced A200, and we intend to see how well it competes.

Overall the specifications are pretty darn impressive if you consider its $699.00 asking price. An APS-C sized 10.2 megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor, improved Super Steady Shot in-camera Image Stabilization, Anti-dust reduction, A 2.7" 230k Clear Photo LCD, new BIONZ Image processor with added LSI circuitry, Eye-Start Auto Focus system, continuous 3 frames-per-second shooting, an ISO range of 100-3200, 40 segmented metering, Dynamic Range Optimization (DRO), much improved autofocus speed and improved focus control, Quick Navigation User Interface (our favorite), all complete with a light, sharp Sony 18-70 kit lens. Currently, the A200 is only available in kit form in the US with a one or two lens kits option. Now onto some impressions, shall we?