Sony 55-200 at PMA, hands on report:

The Sony 55-200 has been an area of interest for me since I did the Tamron 55-200 review a couple months back (we will update our site with that review soon). There are claims from some sources that the Sony 55-200 has a more popular, larger diameter front element and, that it does not rotate like the Tamron model. This would be a more filter friendly feature (such as a polarizer).

In order for that to be true, Sony would have had to almost completely redesign this lens. While those modifications would have been welcome, I thought it basically impossible for Sony to do that since Tamron creates the architecture of which Sony build on, and, it would have had to have a complete re-design.

Come to find out, this isn't true at all, and I was correct in my initial evaluation of the Sony model. Truth be told, the front element indeed does rotate and the filter size is still 52mm. So, true to other Tamron rebadge models from Sony, the Sony model has received an aesthetic rework, curved aperture blades, and a bigger focus ring.

And, now we know. On with the good news!

The good is that the 55-200 will retail for about $229.99 (not official but almost 100%). Again, a bit more pricey than the Tamron version (about 30.00 retail), but overall a very budget price.

New users, I will only say this once. You need to get this lens if you want a duo lens system and need the focal range this lens offers.

As I will report in the review I will eventually complete on it (once I get a copy), and as I did in the Tamron review, this lens is worth 3x it's price in image quality. Basically you are getting an F4 lens all the way out to 135mm before the aperture changes. Its optical quality is simply fantastic, and for its price it has the best $ for quality value that I have reviewed of any lens to date. Don't ignore it, it may not be very popular right now, but in this case popularity has nothing to do with its results.

I had a hands on experience at PMA with it, the focus ring is bigger and rubberized much like the 35mm G 1.4 lens. It looks handsome and is extremely light. Matched with the A200 and you might have the lightest DSLR combo out there, that is very versatile. When I want to pack ultra light, no other lens is considered first. It is a must have for the entry level consumer mounted to an A100,200,300, or 350 Alpha.

Isn't it a handsome little lens? ;)

-C.Garrard

P.S. you can pre order one of these now at Sony Style USA here is a direct link: