Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 Perfect In Every Way October 8, 2008
John Owen (Bristol, U.K.)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've had my A200 for a couple of months now so thought it was time to write my review. The easiest way to describe this is wow!
Like so many other reviewers this is my first slr but I am no stranger to photography. I did about 2 months of research using the internet, talking to people and reading the photography press. I wanted a camera to take high quality shots and wanted to spend around 500. I narrowed it down to 3 cameras. The A200, the Nikon D40 and the Canon Eos 450D. Now 2 months down the line I have absolutely no regrets. This camera takes fantastic photographs straight out of the box. Fit the lens and memory card, charge the battery, switch it on and select auto, point the camera and press the shutter release. It really is that easy. The first photo I took blew me away and that was just my DVD cabinet on the other side of my sitting room and viewed back via the camera's LCD screen. From that moment my new love affair has started and I rarely put the camera down. Wherever I go it goes. It's amazing the opportunities that arise just while going about your daily business and I've found it makes me so much more aware of my surroundings and I see things I've never seen before that I pass every day.
There have been a few mentions of the poor quality of the lens and it's inability to be an "all rounder" I think it is amazing when you think that you are paying under 300 for the kit. The pictures are sharp, the colours are fantastic and they are in a different world to any I've taken with compact cameras over the years. As for the "all rounder" issue, I think it does an incredible job. No matter what you buy, not just for photography, if you want one item that is going to do the job of 2 or 3 seperate items then there is going to be a compromise. Having said that, you are going to be very critical to find too many faults with this lens. The other point to make is that the camera was so much below my budget that I was able to go out and buy another lens. I chose the Sigma APO 70-300 F4-5.6 DG macro and can't recommend it highly enough but that is a different review.
The battery life is outstanding on this camera. The manual says 750 shots but I have filled my 4gb card up which is a scrape under 1000 photos and the battery still had power left. Viewing the pictures back tends to drain it a bit quicker but if you need the maximum battery life the screen can be turned off. The battery meter is in the form of a percentage and is always on display. This is a handy feature as you always know where you stand. It's accurate too as there's no getting to 25% and then dropping like a stone like the fuel gauge on your car. The supplied charger is simple to use and very quick taking a couple of hours or so the charge from completely flat.
Supplied with the kit you get the obvious camera and lens, battery and charger, plus a lovely Sony strap, the software cd, better than average instructions, a couple of lens and accessory leaflets and a clever little gizmo that fits over the view finder to stop light getting in when you are doing long exposures on a tripod. This lives on the strap and you hardly know it's there.
The only extra you will need to get you going is a memory card. I bought a Sandisk Extreme III 4gb and it allows the camera to take photos on continuous setting until the card is full which is 990 images on best quality. These are under 20 now and sometimes even as low as 15. I also recommend buying a book or 2 to get you started on the finer points of SLR photography. I bought Sony DSLR a200 with Cards (Magic Lantern Guides) and Sony A200 (Focal Digital Camera Guides) (Paperback). They are around a tenner each and I bought mine from Amazon. They are very comprehensive and dedicated to the A200. One even has a little credit card sized guide to put in your wallet and carry with you. I have learned so much from these books and I still haven't got anywhere near finishing either of them. I recommend a good well padded bag too. You don't want your investment getting damaged for the sake of a few quid.
So to sum up, an excellent award winning camera and lens at an outstanding price that will make you a better photographer without even trying. Go buy one, you will not be disapointed.
well worth your money,,,,, October 6, 2008
Julian Dsouza
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
well this camera has surpassed my expectations,,,,,,,dam neat pictures,,,,,,it will take me some time to get used to the features,,,,but in low light conditions and closeup everday pics it is really good,,,,will recommend this to any buyer,,,,,,sony did it again,,,,:P
replaced my canon eos 40d and glad i did far better than the canon October 5, 2008
D. J. Sandell
I was doubtful that the sony for 238 would be as good as a eos 40d costing around 800 but wht a surprise shooting on auto mode the sony produced far sharper and better colour results. the colour was far more vibrant in the sony.the lens produced a good sharp images and it is so easy to use the menu system is easy to navigate. for beginers or more advanced i feel this would be a great camera sony might not be up there with the big boys but what a camera i feel they are catching up fast. good value for money.
Above expectations September 26, 2008
Mr. E. De Lera Acedo
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was a bit afraid a Sony camera wouldn't match the performance of those manufacturers with more experience as Nikon or Canon, but it did! For me, the best value for price that you can get in the market nowadays.
an absolute steal September 14, 2008
Mr. B. J. Tye (Worcester, Eng)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have owned several high end compact digital cameras and was aware that they only really took great shots in perfect light conditions. Really wanted a Nikon but when comparing features the sony is soo much cheaper to buy.
The camera feels well made and is very simple to use, the grip is good and controls make sense. Images are really amazing if you are used to a compact. The automatic mode is fine, just point and shot, not at all technical. If this is your first DSLR will be very happy.
Some minor downsides (only being picky), the shutter is a little noisy, the Auto Focus is constantly working if you carry the camera switched on and the standard lens is by no means it's strong point but fine for beginners. The screen does smudge very easily so I would recommend buying some stick on screen protectors.
Overall I love this camera and has exceeded my hopes.
thank you Sony, I'm sure canon and Nikon are looking worried.
PS Data comes off the camera to the computer really fast, when ordering be aware memory card and camera may ship on separate days, I was so excited to start using my camera I had to buy a card in Jessops and get ripped off.
Happy Snapping Ben Tye
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