Digital Camera: Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

Sony's Alpha A200 is a relatively minor revamp to the electronics giant's first digital SLR, the A100, which itself was a more significant step up from the Konica Minolta 5D. The Sony A200 is lighter and smaller than the A100, and a good deal easier to use.

Sony claims improvements to the Sony A200's AF system that will make focus acquisition 1.7 times faster, thanks to the high-torque AF motor and improved AF sequence borrowed from the A700, and our test results do indicate a significant improvement.

Sony's Alpha-mount lens system is the oldest SLR autofocus system in the business, going back 28 years, so there's a broad and growing selection of lenses to choose from.

The Sony A200's 10.2-megapixel sensor is the same resolution as its predecessor, but it's said to let more light reach each pixel for lower noise and more detail.

Shaped to better match the sensor's 3:2 aspect ratio, the Sony A200's 2.7-inch "Clear Photo" LCD has an anti-reflective coating for easy viewing in the sun, and 230,000 pixels.

Specifications:
Resolution: 10.20 Megapixels
Kit Lens: 3.88x zoom
18-70mm
(27-105mm eq.)
Viewfinder: Optical
LCD Size: 2.7 inch
ISO: 100-3200
Shutter: 30-1/4000
Max Aperture: 3.5
Mem Type: CF1 / CF2
Battery: Custom LiIon
Dimensions: 5.2x3.7x2.8in
(133x95x71mm)
Weight: 22.0 oz(625 g)