Digital CameraReviews, Samples, PricesCanon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic
Homepage Navigate Digital Camera Forums Find the right Digital Camera.

Sony Alpha A200K Digital SLR Camera Kit

Sony A200

Buy At Lowest Prices
Willoughby's Established 1898 $499.00
RitzCamera $499.00
Ace Photo Digital $499.00
Vanns $499.00
Electronics Expo $499.00
J&R Music and Computer World $499.00
Amazon.com $499.99
Target.com/ITC $499.99
B&H $499.99
Electronic Express Too low to display
Prices may vary by color. Prices shown are only for the defualt color.

Key Features of the Sony A200 :
  • Consumer Level Digital SLR with 10.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD
  • Expanded ISO sensitivity From ISO 100 to ISO 3200
  • Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization
  • Bionz Image Processor
  • Dynamic Range Optimizer
  • Anti-dust technology
  • Auto pop-up flash
  • Eye-Start Autofocus System
  • 9-point center cross AF sensor 
  • Flexible, accurate exposure control
  • Scene Selection modes
  • Creative style settings
  • 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen 
  • Index and Slide Show display
  • High-resolution thumbnails for PhotoTVHD viewing
  • Function Guide Display
  • Continuous Burst Mode at 3 frames per second
  • Stamina battery power
  • High-capacity media options
  • Advanced Lenses and Accessories 

Powerful, versatile and simple to use, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 takes photography to the next level for customers stepping up from point-and-shoot cameras. The Alpha DSLR-A200 expands creative horizons with 10.2-megapixel imaging, high-speed processing, high sensitivity, advanced noise reduction and special features like D-Range Optimizer and Creative Style settings. Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization works with every lens in a superb optical system -- including new Sony DT zoom lenses, advanced Sony G-Series lenses, Carl Zeiss lens designs and a two-decade legacy of Minolta Maxxum a-mount lenses.

Alpha A200 Highlights

10.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD Superb image quality gives you great DSLR shots right from the start, with a large APS-size CCD imager developed by Sony to expand dynamic range, minimize noise more effectively and provide greater detail for making big prints or cropping in tight on your subject.

Expanded ISO sensitivity Broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 enables the Alpha DSLR-A200 to capture beautiful color images even in very dim light -- with High ISO Noise Reduction technology that reduces picture noise artifacts at high-sensitivity ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 settings by eliminating noise from RAW data after analog-to-digital conversion.

Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization A high-performance sensor detects vibrations and the image stabilization system automatically compensates. Because image stabilization is built into the Alpha DSLR-A200, every lens benefits -- and with an advantage of from 2.5 to 3.5 stops, you can shoot effectively at higher shutter speeds even in very low light with minimum blur from shaky hands or fast-moving subjects.

Bionz Image Processor The "brain" of the a (alpha) DSLR-A200 is the advanced Sony Bionz Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, improved white balance and exposure control, and expanded D-Range Optimizer capabilities. With 2-channel data transfer from CCD to processor, your camera can also respond faster.

Dynamic Range Optimizer To improve results with backlit subjects and recover details hidden in shadows or lost in glare, the Alpha DSLR-A200 provides Dynamic Range Optimizer at two levels: Normal DRO, to improve detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.

Anti-dust technology Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera -- so to keep the CCD imager cleaner for better pictures, the Alpha DSLR-A200 utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

Auto pop-up flash In Auto or some scene selection modes, the camera flash automatically pops up and fires when needed to help you shoot more effectively. Flash is cancelled in Landscape, Sport or Sunset modes and in "Flash Off" position on the Exposure Mode dial

Eye-Start Autofocus System It begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye -- so unlike some DSLR cameras that don’t start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 never slows down your ability to catch fast action.

9-point center cross AF sensor A fast focus motor and improved focus control help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, with predictive focus control that automatically calculates the position of a fast-moving subject.

Flexible, accurate exposure control A 40-segment honeycomb sensing system provides multi-pattern measuring for superior exposure control accuracy -- and you can also select center-weighted or spot metering modes. You’ll also have 6 preset White Balance control settings and RGB Histogram display to check color balance.

Scene Selection modes Along with auto exposure, the Alpha DSLR-A200 gives you scene selection modes to optimize camera performance for Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View situations.

Creative style settings To express your creativity and personal taste, you can adjust contrast, saturation and sharpness settings for any of 8 finishing styles -- including Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B&W and Adobe RGB modes.

2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen A large built-in screen with anti-reflective coating makes it easy to read camera setup menus even in bright sunlight and improves image quality when you check your shots.

Index and Slide Show display To quickly review your photos, the Alpha DSLR-A200 can display 4, 9 or 25-frame index views -- or present automatic slide shows with fade-in/fade-out effect.

High-resolution thumbnails for PhotoTVHD viewing The Alpha DSLR-A200 can also create high-resolution thumbnail images for viewing on a Sony Bravia HDTV in optimized PhotoTVHD mode, with image format adjustable for standard 3:2 or widescreen 16:9 display.

Function Guide Display On-screen menus are intuitive and easy to use -- and a simple Camera Function Display can be activated and operated with one hand using the Fn (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

Continuous Burst Mode at 3 frames per second To capture action more effectively, the Alpha DSLR-A200 offers continuous JPEG shooting up to the limit of your flash memory card -- plus RAW Burst Mode (up to 6 shots) with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.

Stamina battery power You can take up to 750 shots on a fully-charged NP-FM500H InfoLithium battery -- and you’ll be able to see about how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

High-capacity media options For conveniently storing and sharing your images, the Alpha DSLR-A200 accepts CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick Pro Duo media.

Advanced Lenses and Accessories The Sony Alpha system gives you everything you need to expand your creativity in DSLR photography: precision Sony DT zoom lenses and specialty lenses, Sony "G" Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss T* coated lenses, professional-quality flash units, and over 16 million Minolta a-mount lenses sold worldwide.



Sony A200 Photo Samples

Click here to view more samples.
These are actual photos taken with Sony A200.
Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.

Compare Sony A200 with similar cameras

Name: Canon Digital Rebel XTi Nikon D40X Sony A200 Canon Rebel XS
Megapixels: 10.1 10.0 10.2 10.1
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD CCD CMOS
LCD Screen: 2.5 " 2.5 " 2.7 " 2.5 "
ISO: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100 - 1600 (plus 3200 with boost) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
White balance Settings: 6 positions & manual preset 6 positions, plus manual preset Six positions plus manual and kelvin 6 positions & manual preset
Max shutter: 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec
Min shutter: 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb
Focal length multiplier: 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.6
Viewfinder: TTL TTL Optical Pentamirror) Optical
Image stabilizer: No No Yes No
Weight (with batteries): 556 g (19.6 oz) 522 g (18.4 oz) 572 g (20.2 oz) 502 g (17.7 oz)
Lowest Price: $529.95 $609.95 $499.00 $469.95
Details: View details View details - View details



Sony A200 User Reviews

Avg. Rating
4.5
Out of 5
This item is reviewed by 48 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

5
Out of 5
Very satisfied
- Reviewd on: 2008-12-29 By: B. Blockston
I was very satisfied with my camera and accessories. Everything was as advertised and it arrived incredibly fast.

5
Out of 5
Perfect camera for DSLR beginner
- Reviewd on: 2008-12-01 By: MrLoofer
Before I purchased this camera I had read lots of reviews on other DSLR cameras in the $500 price bracket. On the day of purchasing the A200 I had actually chosen the Pentax K200D as the reviews for that camera were slightly more positive. However if you're like me then you'll want the biggest bang for your buck and since Amazon is selling the A200 with both the kit 70mm lens and the 300mm lens for only $549 this to me was absolutely the best offer.

First of all the build on this camera is pretty solid. Some reviews said it was too plasticky but I think it's a pretty solid unit. The kits lens don't have that nice solid, rubbery grip like more expensive lenses but for starting out they are absolutely fine. Some other reviews said the images produced by the kit lens are a little on the soft side, but I thought they were pretty darn sharp.

If you are new to DSLR like me and stepping up from a regular point & shoot camera or 35mm SLR camera then this is absolutely a good choice. The camera body itself has enough features to keep you busy and experimenting such as using Aperture and Shutter priority (I'm too afraid to try manual mode just yet!) and it will give you plenty of opportunity to upgrade to better lenses in the future as your expertise grows.

Overall this is a great camera that produces beautiful images. The kit lenses are good enough to last you through your familiarity with the camera and the body packs enough features that will only produce even better pictures as you add better lenses in the future.

5
Out of 5
Fine camera; SUPERB customer service from Sony!
- Reviewd on: 2008-11-14 By: Frank in Miami
I bought this camera from Amazon one month ago and have been very satisfied with it (and of course, Amazon's great service). I won't repeat the many pros cited in other Amazon reviews, but I was blown away with Sony's online customer service. For many years now, most companies' CS strategy has been to promise more and deliver less. I was therefore quite unprepared for my excellent experience. I was unable to find a particular "how to" answer in the camera manual so I went to Sony's website. After entering the model number, I was given the option to do a real-time chat. To my amazement, (a) I was immediately connected with someone, (b) she quickly acknowledged that DSLRs were beyond her and she was transferring me to a specialist, (c) the specialist responded a few seconds later....and (d) she correctly answered my detailed and rather technical question! I'm still in shock. If you're debating between camera manufacturers, this is something to seriously consider before making you choice.

5
Out of 5
Great Camera! Great Package! Great Value!
- Reviewd on: 2008-10-20 By: Francisco Pifano
This is truly a wonderfull camera for anybody who wants to get into the SLR Digital Camera world. Photographs are excellent, the level of detail that one gets in the pics is amazing, and it is so easy to use. Little by little one gets more use to all its features, but right out of the box, after charging the batteries, it's just point-a-shoot, with all the professional look of it. If it's worht mentioning, the only thing that I do not understand why this model does not support it, is the "live view". But taking pics the old fashioned way, looking thru the viewfinder, it's even more realistic down the road. I, as a beginner, recommend this product 100%!

5
Out of 5
Can't be more happier with my purchase
- Reviewd on: 2008-10-16 By: Josh Y. Lee
Great camera at an amazing price compared to those in the same price range. My first DSLR and had no problem operating it without reading the manual.[...]