Photo 1 of 4
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 · Photo source
Sony · Alpha
Alpha DSLR-A200
A 10.2 MP APS-C DSLR with sensor-shift stabilisation, an optical viewfinder and interchangeable Sony A-mount lenses.
- Type
- DSLR
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Megapixels
- 10.2
- Lens
- Sony A-mount
- Video
- –
- Body weight
- 532 g
What reviewers say
Both reviews praised stabilisation, quicker autofocus and low-ISO images, finding little reason for A100 owners to upgrade. PhotographyBlog accepted ISO 800–1600 results more readily; Cameralabs found detail smearing and weaker performance than rivals. PhotographyBlog found dust protection helpful, while Cameralabs found it ineffective in its test. Both noted missing live view.
From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and cameralabs.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specImage and sensor
- Camera type
- DSLR
- Sensor format
- APS-C
- Sensor type
- CCD
- Sensor dimensions
- 23.6 × 15.8 mm
- Effective resolution
- 10.2 MP
- Largest image
- 3872 × 2592
- RAW recording
- Yes
- Standard ISO range
- 100–3200
- Sensor detail
- 10.8 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
- Image formats
- JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 stills; 12-bit analogue-to-digital conversion
- ISO detail
- ISO 100–3200 in whole-stop steps, plus Auto; high-ISO noise reduction available from ISO 1600
- Image processor
- BIONZ
Lens and shooting
- Lens mount
- Sony A-mount
- Stabilisation
- Sensor shift
- Maximum continuous burst
- 3 fps
- Lens detail
- Interchangeable Sony A-mount; supports compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
- Autofocus
- TTL phase detection with nine points and centre cross sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and selectable Eye-Start AF; detection range EV 0–18 at ISO 100
- Shutter
- Electronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
- Burst detail
- Up to 3 fps; JPEG Standard/Fine can continue until the card fills, subject to card and shooting conditions. Maker buffer claim six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames.
- Stabilisation detail
- Super SteadyShot sensor-shift stabilisation; Sony claims approximately 2.5–3.5 stops depending on lens and conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
- Flash
- Automatic pop-up built-in flash, guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; wireless and high-speed sync require compatible external flash
- Exposure controls
- Program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual controls; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer and Creative Style controls
Screen and viewfinder
- Viewfinder
- Optical
- Screen size
- 2.7″
- Screen dots
- 230,400
- Tilting screen
- No
- Display detail
- Fixed Clear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; shooting information rotates with body orientation
- Viewfinder detail
- Fixed eye-level pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity
Connections and design
- Battery life (maker's claim)
- 750 photographs
- Body weight
- 532 g
- Release detail
- Sony Hong Kong specifies launch from the end of January 2008 for the single- and double-lens kits; Japan gives 15 February 2008 for body and kits. January is the earliest maker-stated retail precision found.
- Recording media
- CompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo require a separately sold CompactFlash-slot adaptor
- Ports
- USB 2.0 Hi-Speed with NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector and DC input; no HDMI
- Battery life detail
- NP-FM500H, 7.2 V and 11.8 Wh (1650 mAh); approximately 750 photographs CIPA with built-in flash used for half the shots. The A100's NP-FM55H cannot be used, contrary to PhotographyBlog's handling description.
- Charging
- Supplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
- Dimensions
- Approximately 130.8 × 98.5 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
- Weight detail
- Approximately 532 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; no loaded weight published in the maker table
- Materials
- Plastic outer body (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)
- Colours
- Black
- In the box
- NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger, power cord, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body cap and software CD
Video
- Video detail
- Still-image camera with no movie recording; no live-view framing, mirror lock-up or depth-of-field preview (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sensor-shift stabilisation built into the body
- RAW recording and manual exposure controls
- CIPA battery claim of 750 photographs
Cons
- No video recording or live-view framing
- No depth-of-field preview or mirror lock-up
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Sensor | Megapixels | Lens | Video | Body weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSLR | APS-C | 10.2 | Nikon F mount | – | 495 g | Feb 2008 | |
| DSLR | APS-C | 12.3 | Nikon F mount | 1280 × 720 at 24 fps | 620 g | Sept 2008 | |
| DSLR | APS-C | 12.3 | Nikon F mount | – | 825 g | Nov 2007 |
Sources
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/DSLR-A200/spec.html
- sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20080117_01e.pdf
- sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200802/08-0201B
- photographyblog.com/pages/reviews/reviews_sony_a200.php
- cameralabs.com/sony_alpha_dslr_a200/2
Photo: sony.jp
- Sony DSLR-A200 front product view with a lens.: sony.jp/products/picture/DSLR-A200_002.jpg
- Sony DSLR-A200 rear controls and LCD view.: sony.jp/products/picture/DSLR-A200_003.jpg
- Sony DSLR-A200 top controls view.: sony.jp/products/picture/DSLR-A200_004.jpg
