Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

The A200 boasts a 10.2 megapixel resolution and Sony's BIONZ image processing engine. Considering it's Sony we're talking about here, they'd never consider supporting the standard SD card storage format. Instead the camera supports Compact Flash cards, which is more commonly used in higher-end DSLR cameras. If you're wondering why Sony didn't go with their pet Memory Stick format, you do get an adapter (sold separately), that will add Memory Stick Duo support to the camera.

Though most people would rather not shoot over ISO 800, the A200 supports a maximum sensitivity level of ISO 3200, for those really crucial moments. As you can see from out test below (click on the image for the 1:1 sized result), the ISO 3200 shots may seem a bit duller in colors, and filled with digital noise, the images are still quite usable to a good extent, especially for smaller-sized prints.
__STARTQUOTE__One odd thing I noticed about the camera was its tendency to keep switching back to autofocus every time I restarted the camera. This was in spite of the switch being physically set to manual focus.__ENDQUOTE__The model we received for review bundled with an 18mm-70-mm lens, which is a better deal than the standard 18mm-55mm fare that other companies seem to go with. The A200 features a Super SteadyShot image stabilization system in the camera's body itself, as compared to some of its rivals who'd rather put the mechanism in their lenses instead. The IS, however can only be used with the compatible lenses.

One odd thing I noticed about the camera was its tendency to keep switching back to autofocus every time I restarted the camera. This was in spite of the switch being physically set to manual focus. I'm not sure if this was the case with only the piece we got for review, but needless to say it's a pretty serious glitch.