Compared to Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi
Canon may have announced the EOS 450D / Rebel XSi, but it’s keeping the earlier 400D / XTi on as its ‘new’ entry-level DSLR. As such it goes directly up against Sony’s Alpha A200. Since the A200 is so similar to its predecessor, the argument between it and the 400D / XTi is similar to previous comparisons.
Without Live View, faster continuous shooting or a higher resolution sensor, both models are quite similar. Both have 10 Megapixel sensors, 3fps continuous shooting, no Live View, and 9-point AF systems. In the A200’s favour is built-in anti-shake facilities, a slightly longer 18-70mm kit zoom lens, a slightly bigger 2.7in screen, 3200 ISO sensitivity, spot-metering and an InfoLithium battery pack with accurate feedback.
As such, Sony’s cleverly out-specified the 400D / XTi while holding back the big guns for the other Alphas in the range. But like the A100 before it, the A200's high ISO performance is below that of the Canon. It's a tough call with both cameras carrying the same RRP, although most first-time buyers would probably accept the A200's artefacts at higher sensitivities in return for its built-in anti-shake. But we’ve seen the Canon being sold from reputable online dealers for over $100 USD less. So if your budget is tight, the Canon may be more appealing, but the A200 remains a compelling alternative, again considering its built-in anti-shake. See our Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi review for more details.
Compared to Nikon D60
Nikon’s latest entry-level DSLR is the D60. We’re yet to review it, but in terms of features, the Sony A200 already looks stronger. Both may have 10 Megapixel sensors, 3fps shooting and no Live View, but the Sony A200’s built-in anti-shake arguably trumps the Nikon’s new stabilised kit lens, the A200’s kit lens itself is slightly longer, the screen is slightly bigger, the maximum sensitivity higher, the battery gives better feedback, and the Sony has a 9-point AF system to the D60’s basic 3-point offering. It’s also worth noting the D60, like the D40(x) before it, does not have a built-in AF motor, so cannot autofocus with non-AF-S Nikkor lenses.
Given an RRP that’s $50 USD higher than the A200, there’s little reason to recommend the D60 over the A200 unless it trumps all rivals in our forthcoming image quality and usability tests. See the complete Nikon DSLR range.
