Smaller, lighter and easier to use Sonly Alpha A200 DSLR

Is there another Sony Alpha lurking?

Sony has sprung a minor surprise at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas today by unveiling a new entry-level DSLR, the Alpha A200. At PMA last March, Sony showed what turned out to be a prototype of the A700, plus a strange retro-style design widely tipped to be a much-rumoured full-frame pro-spec model. For that, we must wait - maybe only until PMa at the end of this month, but instead we have a new entry-level model to investigate. Sony says the A200, which replaces the original A100 from 18 months ago, is smaller, lighter and easier to use.

• The main improvements are:
• ISO speed extended to 3200
• Bionz image processor (borrowed from the semi-pro A700)
• High ISO noise reduction
• Availability of portrait mode battery grip
• Improved AF and SteadyShot moving sensor image stabilisation
  

The sensor remains a CCD type and 10 megapixels compared to the A700's 12 megapixel CMOS sensor. Interestingly, Sony has again decided to contradict the market trend and not endow the A700 with live view, though it does boast a larger 2.7 inch screen.

No pricing is yet available for the A700, but it is due to ship (in the US at least) from next month.

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