Upgrade Guide
Sony DSLR-A200→Sony RX100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Strong upgrade
The RX100 improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most DSLR-A200 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the RX100
-
Resolution20MP vs 10MP (+10MP)
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Burst rate10fps (focus fixed at the first frame) vs 3fps
-
Generation4 years newer (2012 vs 2008)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | DSLR-A200 | RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -1.6 | ||
| Street | +0.7 | ||
| Travel | +0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -2.0 | ||
| Documentary | -0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Landscape | +0.2 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Casual | +0.5 | ||
| Food | -0.1 | ||
| Macro | -0.2 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -2.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | DSLR-A200 | RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £48 used | £74 used | |
| Released | 2008 | 2012 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 10.2MP APS-C sensor | 20.2MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 10MP | 20MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect AF | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | |
| Stabilisation | Sensor-shift Super SteadyShot | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 10fps (focus fixed at the first frame) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~750 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 532g (body only) | 240g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x | No viewfinder | |
| Screen | 2.7" fixed LCD, 230k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | |
| Mount | Sony A-mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 | |
| Memory Cards | Single CompactFlash slot | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See DSLR-A200 and RX100 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the RX100 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the DSLR-A200
Related buying guides
Camera family history