3 comments

1. ipsa scientia potestas est says:

   February 17, 2012 at 4:52 am

   452 of 457 people found the following review helpful:

   
   Better than D60 and EOS 400D (for beginner), 20 April 2008

   By 

   ipsa scientia potestas est (UK) –

   This review is from: Sony DSLR-A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera + Zoom Lens Kit (18-70 mm F3.5-5.6) (Electronics)

   Like many people wanting to move up from digital compact cameras to something which will take much better pictures, I found the whole DSLR thing quite confusing.

   Essentially, after some discussion with friends who have been into photography for a while, my decision was narrowed to three choices: the Sony a200, the Nikon D60 and the Canon EOS 400D.

   I decided on the basis of the following:
   1. The Sony has built in anti-shake, which will work with any lens (unlike the other two)
   2. It has the biggest, brightest and clearest screen
   3. It’s a Sony, and I have a lot of other Sony stuff (TVs, Stereo’s, Compact Camera’s) all of which have worked flawlessly
   4. It feels more solid than the EOS 400D (though not the D60)
   5. The Sony a200 worked out cheapest (especially over the D60 which, with anti-shake lens was approx £530) and I was able to use the difference to buy the other things that you really need, namely a UV lens filter, a memory card, a bag, and even offset the difference of another lens.

   For beginners the Sony a200 seems to have everything covered, and after two weeks of using it I can say I am still very happy with my choice and have some great photos as well!

   Hope this helps.

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2. A. Baugh "Photoman" says:

   February 17, 2012 at 5:38 am

   252 of 255 people found the following review helpful:

   
   FANTASTIC CAMERA – look no further!, 17 Jun 2008

   By 

   A. Baugh “Photoman” (Stockton on Tees, UK) –
   
     

   This review is from: Sony DSLR-A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera + Zoom Lens Kit (18-70 mm F3.5-5.6) (Electronics)

   Several weeks ago I decided to upgrade to a DSLR camera, and with my budget being low, I was restricted as to what I could afford. If you are anything like me, you will by now have spent hours on the internet using various comparison sites and reading review after review. After careful consideration, I shortlisted my choice between the Sony A200, and Nikon D40. Both get great reviews and seem pretty well matched. Anyway, I decided on the Sony A200, and what a fantastic decision I made. It looks great, feels great (quality) as you would expect from Sony, but more importantly it takes absolutely amazing photos with ease. On auto mode it does everything for you, so even a complete idiot can take great photos, but it also allows you to change settings to get the photo exactly as you want it. It has loads of features/gadgets etc. TO SUMMARISE: If you are unsure as to whether you should take the plunge – I can highly recommend the Sony A200 – you will NOT be dissappointed!

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3. John Owen "I like banjos me." says:

   February 17, 2012 at 5:47 am

   352 of 357 people found the following review helpful:

   
   Perfect In Every Way, 8 Oct 2008

   By 

   John Owen “I like banjos me.” (Bristol, U.K.) –
   
     

   This review is from: Sony DSLR-A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera + Zoom Lens Kit (18-70 mm F3.5-5.6) (Electronics)

   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.

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