The Alpha 200 is a new entry level reflex from Sony.  Offered for a relatively low price, it has classic technical characteristics: a 10 MP sensor, optical stabilization (movement of the sensor), sensitivity up to 3200 ISO, and a pentamirror viewfinder.  We therefore have the essentials without any frills making this camera simple and effective.  For the extras, you will have to look to its bigger siblings like the Alpha 300 (direct aiming via the LCD screen) or the Alpha 350 (direct LCD aiming + à 14 million pixel sensor).

Handling

Just like the first Sony reflex (the Alpha 100), the body of the new arrival seems a bit light.  The materials used in construction seem to be of lower quality especially if we compare the Alpha 200 to the recent Pentax K200D.  Once this impression is overcome, the Sony Alpha 200 turns out to be rather enjoyable to use.  The body has been simplified and you will only find a selection dial on top of the camera (for exposure modes) and two direct access buttons to choose ISO sensitivity or motorization (timer and burst mode).  For the other controls, you will have to go through the Fn button which displays a sub-menu to set the main parameters: flash, light measurements, autofocus, white balance and optimizer (DRO).  This is an approach that resembles that used by Pentax on its reflexes.  The viewfinder is composed of a pentamirror and enlargement is 0.84x making it more comfortable than Canon (EOS 400D) or Nikon (D60) equivalents.  Its 9 point autofocus is quite reactive (even in low light conditions) and appreciable; however, focusing is somewhat noisy due to the absence of ultrasonic motorization offered in other kits.  The burst mode is announced at 3 i/s and this was confirmed in practice.  This is classic but operational on more than 100 jpg shots (versus an honorable 8 in RAW).

Image quality

The Sony Alpha 200 is equipped with a 10 MP sensor already found in a number of reflexes.  We were especially interested in this camera’s noise control as the previous model was a little weak in this domain.  While the Alpha 200 does produce better results, unfortunately, it is below other cameras such as the Nikon D40x.  Either way, images are of very good quality up until 400 and even 800 ISO.  After this grain becomes quite significant and at 3200 ISO (a new setting compared to the A100), it’s preferable make shots in black and white.  Colors are very accurate and automatic white balance is dependable while there is a slight red dominance under tungsten lighting. The DRO system (Dynamic Range Optimizer) allows recovering more details in darker and very bright zones by modifying the contrast curve.  It’s a process whose results depend more or less on shooting conditions.  The flash is rather well dosed but it does lack a little power.  According to the lens you use (for us a 16-80 mm) shadows can be clearly seen in photos.  As for stabilization, it enables gaining roughly two 2 speeds which is far from being negligible.