Sony Introduces the A200 Digital SLR

CES has never been THE show for the photo industry. However, that has been changing in recent years as digital cameras are now the domain of Consumer Electronics companies as much as the traditional photo companies. Sony used CES to show and launch the A200 as a replacement for their current A100 DSLR.

The new A200 is mainly a refinement of the A100 with little that is truly new. Resolution remains the same 10.2 megapixels as the A100.

There are improvements in the A200 to make it more attractive in the current market. Improvements include:

• A slightly larger 2.7 inch LCD, compared to a 2.5 inch LCD on the A100
  
• A claimed 70% improvement in autofocus speed
  
• Optional Battery Grip for extended battery performance and better handling for vertical shooting. This accessory was not an option for the A100.
  
• Improved noise control at ISO 1600 and 3200 with an updated Bionz processor
  
• Automatic pop-up flash compared to the manual raise and lower on the A100
  
• Battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life remaining. Of course that also likely means, like the new A700, an expensive proprietary battery available only from Sony. The current A100 uses a battery readily available from many sources at a reasonable price.
  

Super Steady Shot anti-shake that works with any lens and auto sensor cleaning are carried over unchanged from the A100. Continuos shooting speed remains the same 3 fps. The A200 with a kit 18-70 f3.5-5.6 lens will be available in February. The selling price for the kit is expected to be around $700.

Sony A900, Pentax 20D, Canon 450D, Canon 5D Mark II NOT Announced

The rumored Sony full-frame A900 was nowhere to be found at CES, but some expect it to be announced at PMA at the end of this month. Other cameras expected at PMA are the Pentax 20D, with a rumored 14-megapixel sensor probably made by their partner Samsung. Rumors also claim a 10-megapixel 200D, based on the Sony sensor, will be announced as a replacement for the 100D.

PMA should also see the announcement of the replacement for the current Canon XTi 10 megapixel entry level DSLR. The new Digital Rebel is expected to be called the 450D outside of the US, but we don’t yet know what it will be called in the US. Specifications and details are not yet known.

Many have expected Canon to announce their new replacement for the full-frame Canon 5D, to be called the 5D Mark II, and some insist this will happen at PMA. There is talk of another lower-priced full-frame Canon called the 7D. Industry insiders are now predicting the full-frame announcements will likely be delayed until Photokina in the Fall. Photokina is THE big Photo Event, and it only happens every two years. The last one was in 2006.

Nikon is also rumored to be close to a D40x replacement that will likely be called the D60, and that could be a new model launched at PMA. It is shaping up as a very interesting PMA this year, but as always, what really gets launched is subject to change, and there are usually a few surprises.