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Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha DSLR-A200SonyAlpha DSLR-A300
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2008April 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution10.2 MP10.2 MP
Largest image3872 × 25923872 × 2592
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–3200100–3200
Sensor detail10.8 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal10.8 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formatsJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 stills; 12-bit analogue-to-digital conversionJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 stills; 12-bit analogue-to-digital conversion
ISO detailISO 100–3200 in whole-stop steps, plus Auto; high-ISO noise reduction available from ISO 1600ISO 100–3200 in whole-stop steps, plus Auto; high-ISO noise reduction available from ISO 1600
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst3 fps3 fps
Lens detailInterchangeable Sony A-mount; supports compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specificationsInterchangeable Sony A-mount; supports compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
AutofocusTTL 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 100TTL 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
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 secondElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp 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.Up to 3 fps using the optical viewfinder or 2 fps in live view; JPEG Standard/Fine can continue until the card fills, subject to shooting conditions and card speed. Maker buffer claim six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames.
Stabilisation detailSuper SteadyShot sensor-shift stabilisation; Sony claims approximately 2.5–3.5 stops depending on lens and conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8Super 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
FlashAutomatic 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 flashAutomatic 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 controlsProgram, 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 controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual controls; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb metering through the optical finder or 1200-zone analysis in live view, with centre-weighted and spot options; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer and Creative Style controls
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.7″2.7″
Screen dots230,400230,400
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed Clear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; shooting information rotates with body orientationClear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; tilts approximately 130° upward or 40° downward. Live view previews exposure compensation, white balance and selected Creative Style settings; Smart Teleconverter produces 1.4×/2× digital crops.
Viewfinder detailFixed eye-level pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinityFixed eye-level pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; optical path closed automatically when live view is selected
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)750 photographs730 photographs
Body weight532 g582 g
Release detailSony 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.Sony Hong Kong specifies April 2008 for the single- and double-lens kits. Japan launched the body and single-lens kit on 17 July 2008; April is the earliest maker retail precision found.
Recording mediaCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo require a separately sold CompactFlash-slot adaptorCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo require a separately sold CompactFlash-slot adaptor
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed with NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector and DC input; no HDMIUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed with NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector and DC input; no HDMI
Battery life detailNP-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.NP-FM500H, 7.2 V and 11.8 Wh (1650 mAh); maker CIPA claim approximately 730 photographs with optical finder or 410 in live view, with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-B30AM grip holds two packs
ChargingSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/chargerSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 130.8 × 98.5 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusionsApproximately 130.8 × 98.5 × 74.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 532 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; no loaded weight published in the maker tableApproximately 582 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; no loaded weight published in the maker table
MaterialsPlastic outer body (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)Plastic outer body (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)
ColoursBlackBlack; Silky Gold lens kit also released in Japan
In the boxNP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger, power cord, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body cap and software CDNP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger, power cord, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body cap and software CD
Video
Video detailStill-image camera with no movie recording; no live-view framing, mirror lock-up or depth-of-field preview (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)Still-image camera with no movie recording (PhotographyBlog); Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated secondary sensor with a pentamirror switching mechanism, rather than the main image sensor. It shows 90% coverage and has no magnified manual-focus-check mode.

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