Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

    57
    Image cannot be found

    Highlights

    • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 9 Focus Points
    • Image Stabilization
    • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 was announced in 2008 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) DSLR camera with 10.2 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200. The camera has a Fixed 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Sony Alpha DSLR series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Sony Alpha DSLR series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A580
    Compare
    		May
    2011    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A560
    Compare
    		August
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A390
    Compare
    		July
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A290
    Compare
    		June
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A850
    Compare
    		April
    2010    		 24.6 MP
    Full Frame    		 200 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A450
    Compare
    		January
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A550
    Compare
    		December
    2009    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A500
    Compare
    		August
    2009    		 12.3 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A380
    Compare
    		August
    2009    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A230
    Compare
    		May
    2009    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A330
    Compare
    		May
    2009    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A900
    Compare
    		October
    2008    		 24.6 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A200 July
    2008    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A350
    Compare
    		June
    2008    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A300
    Compare
    		January
    2008    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A700
    Compare
    		December
    2007    		 10.24 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A100
    Compare
    		July
    2006    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 vs Alpha DSLR-A560 vs Alpha DSLR-A390 vs Alpha DSLR-A290 vs Alpha DSLR-A850 vs Alpha DSLR-A450.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A200.

    PROS

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 63
    •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)

    Successor

    In 2009 Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 was replaced by Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 531 vs 521
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.4 vs 11.3
    HDMI Output vs
    Lighter 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz) vs 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
    Center Autofocus vs
    Lower Max Continuous Shooting 2.5 fps vs 3.0 fps

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs Alpha DSLR-A230.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a 2.7" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Sony Alpha DSLR-A200's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.8 mm372.9 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3872 x 2176, 2896 x 1936, 2896 x 1632, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1088


    Lens Mount

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has Sony A lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A200.

    Sony DSLR-A300
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A350
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A390
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A290
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A230
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A500
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.3 MP

    Sony DSLR-A330
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A580
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A550
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A380
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A900
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.6 MP

    Sony DSLR-A450
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible with Minolta and select Sony flashes).

    Physical Parameters

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has dimensions of 131 x 99 x 71 mm (5.16 x 3.9 x 2.8"). It weighs 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    131 mm (5.16")

    99 mm (3.9")

    Image cannot be displayed


    99 mm (3.9")

    Image cannot be displayed


    71 mm (2.8")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 dimensions

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    60

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 gets a score of 60 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    59

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 gets a score of 59 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    76

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 gets a score of 76 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Evaluation

    We evaluate Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and give score of 57 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    57

    Sensor

    GOOD
    70

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 70 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 63

    Photo

    GOOD
    71

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 71 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    71

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 71 for Focusing parameters.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    64

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 64 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
    ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.