Sony announces the Alpha A200 at CES

Key upgrades (and very important ones) to the A-100 are:

-$300.00 less out of your wallet upon release (and we're hoping...purses as well :) ).

-Much cleaner high ISO performance (less digital "noise grain" at each sensitivity setting), which early test images seem to confirm.

-Faster (1.7x faster) autofocus with a new high speed/torque focus motor, and more accurate center cross AF sensor.

-A larger 2.7" "Clear Photo" lcd with anti-reflecting coating, better bright sunlight performance.

-Claimed half stop improvement of Super Steady Shot 2.5-3.5 stops, vs. 2-3 stops on A100.

-Auto Pop-up flash (a good beginner upgrade and more popular design overall).

-Addition of the superior Quick Navigation user interface (our pick as most worthy upgrade), accessed thru a new function button

-Expanded ISO sensitivity to 3200 (from 1600).

-Addition of RGB Histogram display

-Auto white balance and 8 preset White Balance settings (up from 6)

-New body design, and slightly less weight than A100

-750 shot CIPA rated battery with Infolithium (tells you an exact percentage of battery life remaining)

These are all upgrades Sony listened to it's users about. All very much worthy and make it a nice solid uncomplicated, unintimidating DSLR overall to the new DSLR owner. To us it is an impressive upgrade, given that normally when a model is upgraded on it's next release the price usually stays the same with the upgrades.

However, Sony not only introduced a basically new DSLR, but priced it roughly 30% lower than its entry level DSLR 1 1/2 years ago, and that is indeed impressive (we aren't calling it an A100 replacement since there will be two more DSLRs in the wake of the A200 in it's range inbetween the A700).

This should be an enticing offering to a entry level consumer looking to get into a DSLR brand for the first time. Not to mention you can get a kit for $699.99 with a sharp, light, 18-70 kit lens. As a newcomer, I would probably have loved this camera as a first. What a steal!

We can't wait to get our hands on one and give you our opinion on it. We will be reporting more on it very soon, so stay tuned to AlphaMountWorld.com, and thank you for visiting us!

-C.Garrard