Review of the Sony DSLR A200

www.sony.co.uk
When Sony adopted Konica Minolta’s photography arm in 2006, it pledged to continue what KM had started. To date, this consisted of just two DSLRs – the Dynax 5D and 7D – which gave Sony an ideal platform for future developments. Shortly after saw the launch of the A100, which marked the beginning of the Alpha range. Two years later and Alpha system has now covered five models, in both the entry-level and enthusiast markets, and with a 24MP full-frame model in the pipeline it looks set to nip at the heels of the pro market, too. As a symbol of Sony’s ambitions, four of these models have been announced only in the past six months, with this, the A200 replacing the A100 model. Designed to be ‘faster, lighter and easier to use’ the model shares many similarities with its predecessor, but is said to have been influenced by its elder sibling, the A700. Indeed, the design of the entire Alpha line varies in only a few areas, and as such, still bears many of the hallmarks of the original KM models from which it stems. Arguably, the entry-level market is just as important for Sony to crack (to encourage people to buy into the Alpha system from the beginning), and with a lineage of compatible Minolta A-mount lenses, Sony is in a strong position to do so. Furthermore, the company has continued to develop its own range of lenses, as well as partnering with Carl Zeiss to produce professional-grade optics. So, what does the A200 bring to the table?

Features:
Sensibly, Sony has stuck to the same 10.8MP total CCD sensor that featured in the A100, giving an effective pixel count of 10.2MP. Usually this is the first thing manufacturers like to boost in ‘upgraded’ models, but Sony has left this unchanged. Thanks to the 23.6 x 15.8mm APS-C format sensor, the focal length conversion factor of 1.5x has also remained. Processing and operation are handled by Sony’s Bionz image processor, which is now said to be responsible for a 1.7x faster autofocusing system, as well as high speed image processing and a reduction in image noise. Noise is removed from Raw files before images are converted to JPEGs, theoretically minimising any effects that JPEG artefacts would have on it during compression. The metering system uses a 40-segment honeycomb pattern, with the options of multi-segment, centre-weighted and spot. The camera’s sensitivity range has been extended, with an extra stop now at ISO 3200 and the option of Noise Reduction accompanying higher settings and longer exposures, while the nine-point focus system comprises eight selectable points and a center cross-hair sensor. Sony’s sensor-based Super SteadyShot image stabilisation technology has continued on the A200, claiming to allow shutter speeds of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than would usually be possible. Dust, meanwhile, is handled by a two-step process; utilising a static-free coating on the low pass filter and quick vibration of the sensor upon each powering off of the camera, to help prevent and shake off any dust that may have worked its way into the body. The D-range Optimiser features two settings said to help bring out detail in shadows and highlights. The first works on the image as a whole to assess brightness and contrast while the second analyses each area of the image separately to bring out detail. The camera offers a 3fps burst rate in JPEG capture, with a six-frame limit for Raw images, three-frame limit for simultaneous Raw+JPEG recording, and unlimited capture for JPEGs, depending on the shooting parameters and the memory card used. Sony’s Creative Style settings, meanwhile, provide a choice of eight capture modes, including Standard, Vivid and Black & White modes, as well as an Adobe RGB setting. The camera is powered by an Infolithium battery, which allows the camera to display its remaining power as a percentage and is claimed to allow up to 750 shots to be captured on a full charge. If this isn’t enough, an optional vertical grip launched alongside the model accepts two of the above cells, thus providing power for an extra 1,500 shots. Other tweaks and improvements include a quieter shutter mechanism, higher X-sync speed when using Super SteadyShot (now from 1/125sec to 1/160sec) and the option to record images in 16:9 widescreen format