Sony Announces A200 DSLR

Sony has announced the third DSLR in its Alpha range, the A200.

The model replaces the A100 and is said to ?feature upgrades influenced by the A700? launched last year. It is also said to be ?faster, lighter and easier to use? than the A100.

Like the A100, the new model utilises an APS-sized CCD sensor, but ups the effective pixel count to 10.2MP. The resolution of the LCD screen remains at 230,000pixels, but sees a slight increase to 2.7 inches, while a Bionz engine handles image processing ? also claiming to reduce noise in Raw images before converting them to JPEG files.

As was the case in the company?s previous two models, Super SteadyShot image stabilisation claims to allow shutter speeds up to 3.5 steps slower than would usually be possible, and is complimented by Sony?s D-Range Optimiser (DRO). A sensor-shift dust-reduction mechanism is joined by a static-resistant anti-dust coating, to help eliminate and prevent dust, while the autofocus system is claimed to be 1.7x faster than the previous model.

Other specifications include a 3fps burst mode, a sensitivity range stretching from ISO100-3200 and quieter shutter.

The A200 will be available from February as a body-only option for £369, a single-lens kit with a DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens priced at £449, and as a double-lens kit, which includes the above lens together with a DT 75-300mm f4.5-5.6 lens, which will retail at £599.