Sony Introduces the A200 Digital SLR
by Wesley Fink on January 14, 2008 12:30 AM EST- Posted in
- What's New with Wes
CES has never been THE show for the photo industry. However, that has been changing in recent years as digital cameras are now the domain of Consumer Electronics companies as much as the traditional photo companies. Sony used CES to show and launch the A200 as a replacement for their current A100 DSLR.
The new A200 is mainly a refinement of the A100 with little that is truly new. Resolution remains the same 10.2 megapixels as the A100.
There are improvements in the A200 to make it more attractive in the current market. Improvements include:
- A slightly larger 2.7 inch LCD, compared to a 2.5 inch LCD on the A100
- A claimed 70% improvement in autofocus speed
- Optional Battery Grip for extended battery performance and better handling for vertical shooting. This accessory was not an option for the A100.
- Improved noise control at ISO 1600 and 3200 with an updated Bionz processor
- Automatic pop-up flash compared to the manual raise and lower on the A100
- Battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life remaining. Of course that also likely means, like the new A700, an expensive proprietary battery available only from Sony. The current A100 uses a battery readily available from many sources at a reasonable price.
Super Steady Shot anti-shake that works with any lens and auto sensor cleaning are carried over unchanged from the A100. Continuos shooting speed remains the same 3 fps. The A200 with a kit 18-70 f3.5-5.6 lens will be available in February. The selling price for the kit is expected to be around $700.
Sony A900, Pentax 20D, Canon 450D, Canon 5D Mark II NOT Announced
The rumored Sony full-frame A900 was nowhere to be found at CES, but some expect it to be announced at PMA at the end of this month. Other cameras expected at PMA are the Pentax 20D, with a rumored 14-megapixel sensor probably made by their partner Samsung. Rumors also claim a 10-megapixel 200D, based on the Sony sensor, will be announced as a replacement for the 100D.
PMA should also see the announcement of the replacement for the current Canon XTi 10 megapixel entry level DSLR. The new Digital Rebel is expected to be called the 450D outside of the US, but we don’t yet know what it will be called in the US. Specifications and details are not yet known.
Many have expected Canon to announce their new replacement for the full-frame Canon 5D, to be called the 5D Mark II, and some insist this will happen at PMA. There is talk of another lower-priced full-frame Canon called the 7D. Industry insiders are now predicting the full-frame announcements will likely be delayed until Photokina in the Fall. Photokina is THE big Photo Event, and it only happens every two years. The last one was in 2006.
Nikon is also rumored to be close to a D40x replacement that will likely be called the D60, and that could be a new model launched at PMA. It is shaping up as a very interesting PMA this year, but as always, what really gets launched is subject to change, and there are usually a few surprises.
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Per Hansson - Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - link
Thank you very much Wesley Fink for the notes about the other expected cameras during PMA, I only heard about the EOS 450D, it will be very interesting to see what Pentax ends up with tooRain and dust proofing plus built in IS are some very nice features to have if you are actually gonna use that fance DSLR outside ;)
And also thanks for your comments on what cameras you use for reviews, this is what I will use any upcoming purcache for "professionally"
Heidfirst - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - link
for something else expected from Sony at PMA apparently based on the A200http://i11.tinypic.com/8annn8o.jpg">http://i11.tinypic.com/8annn8o.jpg
Then of course there will also be new lens, flash etc. announced too.
There are currently no bad DSLRs atm & at competing levels performance differences are often very minor.
BladeVenom - Monday, January 14, 2008 - link
I'd rather have a Canon or a Nikon any day.Heidfirst - Thursday, January 17, 2008 - link
Amateur Photographer in the UK just did a head to head between the EOS40D & the A700 - their verdict was that they were both good cameras but if they could have only 1 it would be the A700...Remember that Sony's Alpha series are full of Minolta DNA & hence have an illustrious heritage.
Lord 666 - Monday, January 14, 2008 - link
On these pages son, its all Olympus and its 4/3 sensor.Do you know what made my weekend? My wife remarked how she is starting to like my D300 and how the color results are amazing. The next day, it dropped from the top of a stroller and took a 4' nose dive into NJ Pine Barren hard packed sand/dirt with the tripod mount taking the full brunt. Because of the casing, the camera survived and have not noticed any ill effects.
Justin Case - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - link
To be more specific, in these pages it's all about reviewing camera specifications on paper, rather than comparing how cameras + lenses actually behave and deliver in the real world.But hey, this is a hardware site; they might as well review cars based on the electric specs. It's kind of pointless (except as a way to serve more pages / ads), but anyone who makes a purchasing decision based on that has no one to blame but him / herself.
There is a reason why >90% of pros (and experienced amateurs) use Canon or Nikon. And there is a reason why photography magazines / websites spend 1/10th of the review talking about the specifications and 9/10ths describing what the camera / lens actually does in different situations.
Wesley Fink - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - link
That is NOT the case, Justin Case. I have hands-on experience and shooting time with every camera I have talked about in Buyers Guides.I met Herbert Keppler, who died a few days ago, on several occasions. He was an avid Minolta and Pentax fan, but he definitely knew Canon and Nikon and every other brand since he had been writing about cameras since the 50's. By your definition he was a hack who didn't know anything about real cameras because he wasn't a fanatic about Nikon and Canon. He respected them, he just wasn't a lemming who followed blindly.
Before you step in it any deeper you might actually read the Nikon God Ken Rockwell's tribute to Herbert Keppler on January 10th. Just because everyone "knows" Nikon and Canon are the only "real" choices does not make it so. Even Ken Rockwell knows this.
I'm amused when you call AnandTech a hardware site as if it means we have the plague. If you don't like what AnandTech reviews and writes about you are welcome to go elsewhere. If you hate our camera blogs and DSLR Buying Guides you don't have to read them. Or you could just read them for amusement from your lofty perch.
Lord 666 - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
Wes,I've been thinking... do you have a Flickr page or anywhere your photographic work is actively being displayed to share with the readers of AT/DT?
You mentioned Ken Rockwell's page, I always enjoy seeing other people's view.
Lord 666 - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - link
I met George Herbert Walker Bush on two occasions... but that doesn't make me a politician.Wesley Fink - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - link
Obviously not.