dSLR Dad

This is pretty typical of the Pre-PMA scoops. Thanks to Newsdesk in Sweden, we have another early press release from Europe. My Swedish is a little rusty, but it looks like the 10.2 MegaPixel Sony A200 is a very minor model update from the A100. Notable upgrades are as follows:

• Screen size increases from 2.5 to 2.7 inches. My guess is that a 3″ screen could not be placed into the same chassis, too bad.
• ISO100 – 3200 equivalent. That’s fine, but hopefully the image quality from ISO 200 to 800 was improved.
• All 9-points in the Autofocus system are now cross-type. This helps improve motion tracking. Not sure if any are f/2.8.
• Burst Capability is still 3fps with a disappointing 6 shot RAW buffer.
• All dials are now black. Chrome is so 2007.

I hope I’m missing something here, because it looks like the only real upgrades are cosmetic. This may be a problem for Sony as both the Nikon D40X and Canon Digital Rebel XTi should be upgraded at PMA2008. This could place the A200 further behind in this market segment, which is disappointing for all of you Minolta dSLR Dads.

a200 Key Features (from Sony Europe):

Camera type: Digital SLR with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses

Lens mount: Compatible with Sony lenses and Konica Minolta/Minolta MAXXUM/DYNAX lenses

Image sensor: APS-C size CCD with anti-dust system

Sensor resolution: 10.2 effective megapixels

Image processor: Sony BIONZ engine

Image stabilization: Super SteadyShot with approx. 2.5 – 3.5 EV decrease in shutter speed (actual stabilization depends on shooting conditions and lens)

Noise reduction: Long exp. & High ISO NR at ISO1600 / 3200

Creative Styles: Preset modes: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B/W, Adobe RGB. Adjustable parameters: Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness

D-Range Optimizer: operating modes: Off, Standard, Advanced

Scene Selection modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait / Night View

Viewfinder: Field of view: 95% / Magnification: 0.83x

AF system: TTL phase detection, centre-cross 9-point

Sensitivity: ISO100 – 3200 equivalent (Recommended Exposure Index)

Light metering: 40-segment honeycomb with multi-segment, spot and centre weighted modes

Flash modes: Auto, Fill-in, Wireless, Rear, High Speed Synchro and Slow Synchro (Wireless and High Speed Synchro modes require optional accessory flash HVL-F56AM or HVL-F36AM)

Built-in flash system: Auto popup (GN 12) with manual popup button

Shutter speed range: 1/4000 sec. – 30 sec., bulb (Flash sync speed 1/160 sec.)

Continuous shooting rate: Up to approx. 3 fps

Max no. of frames: JPEG Fine/Std: unlimited (until memory card is full), RAW+JPEG: 3, RAW: 6 recordable (continuous)

Monitor screen: Transparent TFT / 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD (230k dots) with AR coating

Histogram display: Brightness, RGB

Function menu: Camera Function Display with direct control of Flash Mode, AF Mode, WB, Metering Mode, AF Area, DRO

Battery type: NP-FM500H with InfoLITHIUM % power remaining display on screen

Battery life: Approx. 750 shots (CIPA measurement)

Vertical control grip: VG-B30AM (optional) accepts up to 2x NP-FM500H batteries

Recording media: CompactFlash card: Type I, Type II (Microdrive), Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo with optional adaptor.

Dimensions: (WxHxD) Approx. 130.8 x 98.5 x 71.3 mm (excl. protrusions)

Weight: Approx. 532 g (w/o batteries or memory card)

You can read from the original Swedish site here.

via Photography Bay. Those guys are doing nice work.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 6th, 2008 at 7:37 PM and is filed under Cameras, News & Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.