Excellent camera now at great prices

Author's Rating:

Pros: Big features, small size; great wide angle; image stabilization

Cons: Getting hard to find; just average in low light

The Bottom Line: 
Although two years old, the A200 has an amazing balance of features for the serious amateur: 28mm wide angle and great image stabilization in such a small package.

Author's Review
I have used the Minolta A200 for two years and have taken nearly 3,000 photos with it. It's strongest selling points include 1) a superb feature set in a very small package 2)true image stabilization and 3) the unbeatable 28-200 mm lens. Why should you consider this camera in 2007? Many reasons. . . .

Although I could buy a DSLR for an upcoming trip to England and Scotland, I have decided to stay with the A200 because of its excellent features and results. I have 11x14s in my office taken with this camera and they look great. As I hiker I really don't want to shlep a big DSLR kit around with me--the A200 gives me everything I need in less than half the space and with less than half the weight.

The 28mm wide angle is so important for landscapes, and few superzooms offer it. If you've been trying to shoot landscapes with 36mm or 38mm you'll be really pleased with the difference. The "wide angle macro" is another great feature. Built-in image stabilization really works and has saved many shots that were otherwise impossible in available light.

Minolta always did great, user-friendly manuals. The one that comes with the A200 is no exception. Read the manual and you'll be amazed at all this camera can do.

You probably know that Sony bought Minolta and is now servicing these cameras. One result is that the prices on the remaining A200 cameras (new and recon) have dropped dramatically. It was always a fine camera, but at the lower prices its a great deal. The A200 could be perfect for you--it's still VERY MUCH worth checking out.