Excellent Image Quality
Fast Auto Focus
Great build Quality
Comfortable ergonomics
Intuitive User Interface, easy to use for a beginner.

Trouble locking on in very low light (this is common however, but better than the A100)
No mirror lock up or DOF preview (this can vary as a weakness, for most beginners will not miss these)
Some indoor auto white balance inaccuracies

A great entry level DSLR for those taking the extra step ahead. The A200 is very light, comfortable, easy to use, a perfect beginners DSLR that is a much better value than the Nikon D60.

I have really enjoyed using this camera. It's limitations are obvious, it is easy to use, comfortable as all heck, built well, has a nice LCD and a good viewfinder. In short, this camera has grown on me. Owning an A700 and A100 (and other cameras), I thought it almost impossible that I would be impressed, but overall I have to say that I am for a camera that costs half as much as my A700 as a body only. Since every camera has its shortcomings, the A200 isn't without them. What I found though is that instead of fixating on what the A200 wasn't included with, or what the differences were from the A100/A700, and actually used the camera, I quickly forgot about all that and found using it was almost thoughtless and very enjoyable.

I amvery impressed with the results of the auto white balance outdoors and the cameras ability to meter tough scenes and not blow out pictures (even if it does have a tendency to underexpose .3 EV), the speed and accuracy of the autofocus, the positioning of the dedicated buttons and the overall ergonomics. Sonys build quality is excellent; the attention to detail is evident. Basically, the Sony A200 is a no frills DSLR that does most of what DSLR should do, and does it very well. This is one solid little camera that should hold its own in Sonys DSLR lineup against the entry level competition.

I give it a B+ or 4 1/4 stars overall, 5 for Value overall.

Carl Garrard
www.AlphaMountWorld.com

Customer Service

Havent had to use it yet on any Sony camera. I hear it is good support for the DSLR division.

Similar Products Used:

A700
A100
KM5D
Canon 350xt