judging from specs, IQ, i think the Sony A200 is a winner. shares the same CCD sensor with D40x/D60, 9 point AF. weakness seems to be the JPEGs and high ISO performance somewhat lacking.. but ask yourself how often you shoot above ISO 800.

lens aplenty, even ancient Minolta ones will work with AF & image stabilization -- since Sony's IS is in the body.

a beginner will most likely be using the kit lens for quite sometime to get familiar with the camera, settings and taking pictures. don't worry about systems so early on. lenses for Sony is at least on par, if not better than Canon/Nikon, with the Carl Zeiss range.

i'm personally eying to purchase the Sony A200.