Product ReviewsDigital cameras
Featuring a larger 2.7in LCD, higher maximum sensor sensitivity, and new body design and layout, the entry-level Alpha-DSLR A200 is the direct replacement to Sony's first DSLR, the 10.2-megapixel A100. Despite the similar specification on paper, from the bottom up the A200 is a complete redesign. Indeed, looking very similar to the maker's mid-range A300 and A350 models, the new A200 is now very much more what we expect from Sony than the obvious Konica Minolta influence in the earlier A100. Many of the knobs and dials that bristled about the A100's plastic shell have gone, and even the buttons have been scaled down in size to suit Sony's minimalist design penchant. Unfortunately, it's not compatible with third-party flashguns and accessories thanks to the Minolta-inspired hot-shoe design. To make matters worse, the A200 is missing a PC-style flash socket, meaning studio lights will require an adaptor before they'll work. Build quality is actually much better than the low price would suggest, but the plastic shell marks easily. In the hands, the A200 nestles rather sweetly, but we still believe the A100 was better ergonomically. Strange as it may sound, we found holding the camera for long periods of time was uncomfortable as we couldn't find a suitably secure resting place for our right thumb. In the main, this was due to the forward sloping top plate at the rear and wasn't quite so noticeable on the similarly-styled A300 and A350 models, no doubt due to the novel implementation of those models' Live View feature. With a price lower than some compact digital cameras, the A200 does away with such frivolities, which is a shame but would hardly differentiate it between the A300. Despite this, the A200 has a more or less identical view through the
Still there's the larger, brighter LCD screen and a A300/350 style Fn button replaces the second top-plate mounted dial of the A100. To our way of thinking this makes for far faster selection of the various AF, flash and auto-focus modes, though you still have to use the direction pad for navigation. Fortunately, Sony has retained the excellent Super SteadyShot image stabilisation system and upgraded it to seemingly the same specification as that found on the A350. All Sony's lenses become image stabilised, including the classy Carl Zeiss-branded options. From our tests, using the bundled Sony 18-70mm kit zoom at its longest setting we could hold the A200 at 1/15th second shutter speed and be confident of shake-free shots. Focus accuracy was good, but indoors the A200 lacks an AF-illuminator. Nevertheless, flash performance is good and the balanced fill-flash option works a treat for strongly back-lit subjects. A new wireless option for use with external flashguns isn't likely to be appreciated by the average user, but the A200 will accept an optional vertical grip, adding more power options and promising better handling with longer lenses. With an identical sensor to the A100, you might imagine very similar output, but things are subtly different. The main benefit is a lowering of noise levels at ISO 800 and ISO 1600, the new ISO 3200 maximum is a bonus too, albeit a speckled one. Even so, the A200 is still behind rivals slightly, and a new High-ISO NR option is rather heavy-handed resulting in a smooth look, but with the inevitable loss of detail. Colours remain a strong point, but AWB accuracy in artificial light is poor though a low 2500K minimum colour temperature option is welcome. While the A200 isn't perfect, and barely an advance over the A100, at £249 the low price tag goes a long way to quieten any grumbles. If the picture quality had matched that of the Canon Eos 1000D, we would have awarded it five mice. As it is, the A200 is still worth a look and, in the quality stakes, certainly beats any digital compact hands down. By Kevin Carter
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