Sony DSLR-A200 Review

The LCD monitor works as a Navigation Display allowing seamless operation with clear and concise camera settings displayed with comprehensive shooting information, indicated with large, easy to read text. Aiding ease of use further, the display automatically switches from horizontal to vertical format when shooting in the upright "portrait" format.

The amount of time the display remains active is user selectable (5s, 10s, 30s, 1m). When you put your eye up to the viewfinder it automatically turns off the LCD's backlight.

You can choose the display mode to be simple (left) or detailed (right)

Mounted on the back is a large, wide-view 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD with 230,000-pixels of resolution. It can be used as the information display, for accessing the menus and is an excellent display for in-field review of your pictures.

Controls on the back: The Power switch is to the left of the viewfinder, to the right is the Exposure Compensation button (zoom-out/index display in playback) and the AE lock button (zoom-in in playback). To the right of the LCD is the Fn (Function) button, which brings up the Function menu with options for Flash mode, Metering, Autofocus mode, AF Area, White balance, and D-Range Optimizer. In playback mode it activates the image rotate option. Next is the 8-way controller which is used for Focus-area selection and to navigate the menu system. In playback it is used search through stored images and scroll through an enlarged image. The Super SteadyShot switch turns the image stabilizer on/off. Along the left is the Menu button to call- up/dismiss the onscreen menus. In recording mode, the Display button switches the LCD between showing full and basic camera settings, or off; in playback mode, depressing the Display button cycles the LCD through standard info display, full exposure info display (with histograms), an index type playback, and all info Off modes. The Trash Can (Delete) button is used to delete the currently displayed image; a confirmation menu prevents accidental erasure. At the bottom is the Playback mode button.

The control dial is located at the front of the grip; it controls a variety of settings within the context of the camera's current mode of operation. The shutter release is ergonomically located in a depression between the front control dial and ISO control button. The Drive mode and ISO buttons are used with the LCD to select the desired settings:

• Drive: - Single frame, Continuous, Self-timer, Continuous/Single bracket or WB bracket
• ISO: - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 equivalents

The Mode Dial is located on the top left, and has positions for Full-Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Night Portrait, Sunset, Sports, Close-up, Landscape, Portrait, and Flash restricted mode.

Images are stored on CompactFlash devices. The DSLR-A200 can use any capacity CompactFlash Type I or II card or IBM/Hitachi Microdrives.

I recommended buying a large capacity card for this camera, especially if you use the RAW or RAW+JPEG quality frequently. RAW files are approx. 11.5 - 13MB each and Large/Fine JPEG files are approx. 3.6 - 5MB each.

Approx Storage Capacities

I/O Ports: Inside the CF compartment is the combination USB 2.0 hi-speed digital port and the Video Out port (selectable for NTSC or PAL television systems). On the left side of the camera is the connector for an optional wired remote controller RM-S1AM or RM-L1AM as well as the DC IN port for the optional AC power adapter.

The DSLR-A200 is powered by a Sony 7.2v 1600 mAh NP-FM500H lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack. Sony claims the pack will allow you to capture approx. 750 pictures (using CIPA standard.) There is a 4-level battery condition indicator on the LCD display.

The supplied BC-VM10 compact charger requires approx. 235 minutes to charge a fully depleted battery pack. The optional AC-VQ900AM AC/DC Adaptor and Battery Charger (about $149) can power the camera and rapid charge two type M battery packs.

Shoot vertical shots with ease and stability with this handy vertical grip accessory. It's the perfect creative companion to the amazing a (alpha) DSLR-A200. It not only helps steady your hand with the camera in both vertical and horizontal positions, it also provides a stable platform for shooting portraits, still-life shots and other subjects requiring vertical format.

For added convenience, the shutter button and other important controls are easy to use and located at your fingertips. It also holds two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM batteries (sold separately) for up to 1,500 shots, with automatic power switching to backup battery power for uninterrupted shooting.