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Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

Konica Minolta trims a little and adds a little relative to their top-end A2 model, delivering a strong contender in the 8-megapixel derby.

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Page 1:Intro and Highlights

Review First Posted: 12/22/2004

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8.0-megapixel CCD delivers uninterpolated images as large as 3,264 x 2,448 pixels.
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Sharp 7x optical zoom lens covers a 28-200mm equivalent focus range.
* Integrated anti-shake system greatly extends usefulness of long zoom lens in lower light.
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Vari-angle LCD monitor swivels 270 degrees to face almost any shooting angle.

 

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Introduction - The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

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The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 is the latest in a family of DiMAGE electronic SLR-style models that stretches back to the original DiMAGE 7, the first five-megapixel prosumer camera, introduced over three years ago (early 2001). The newest addition to the line is the Konica Minolta A200, which offers many of the same excellent features and exposure options that I enjoyed on the previous DiMAGE A1 and A2 models, though the Konica Minolta A200 is slightly pared down in some respects. Main differences lie in the non-movable EVF (the A2 had a tilting EVF), a new swivel LCD monitor, a 4x interpolated digital zoom option, and a larger maximum movie resolution (800 x 600 pixels), among a long list of other minor changes. The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 does feature a high-resolution, 8.0-megapixel (effective) CCD, the same great 7x optical zoom lens, and a compact body style that's comfortable and familiar to 35mm styling, all features that distinguished the A1 and A2 models. The Konica Minolta A200 also offers fine-grained exposure and creative controls (as did the A1 and A2), which really add to the camera's flexibility, making it an interesting option for novices and more experienced users alike. One of the most important features of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 though, is its anti-shake system, which greatly increases the usefulness of its long-ratio zoom lens when faced with dimmer lighting. We're seeing more and more anti-shake technology integrated into long-zoom digital cameras, and the system used on the Konica Minolta A200 has been well-proven in the marketplace for over a year now. Read on for the full details.

 

Konica Minolta A200 Highlights

Article: Digital SLR or All-in-one Digicam?
By Shawn Barnett

With the price of digital SLRs finally within reach, should you stick with the All-in-one digicam or move up to an SLR? Why buy a high-end digicam when digital SLRs are so close in price? Do digicams still have a purpose? What are the pros and cons? An avid photographer, I spent some time thinking about that myself. Come see what I discovered about digital SLRs versus all-in-one digicams.
  • True 8.0-megapixel CCD delivering resolutions as high as 3,264 x 2,448 pixels.
  • 12-Bit A/D conversion.
  • Digital electronic viewfinder with 0.44-inch, high-resolution, internal QVGA display.
  • 1.8-inch TFT color LCD monitor that swivels 270 degrees.
  • 7.2-50.8mm lens (equivalent to a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm camera) with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 to f/3.5, depending on the zoom setting, and a manual zoom ring.
  • Included lens hood.
  • 2x digital zoom or 4x interpolated digital zoom options.
  • Auto and Manual focus with focus magnification, and 11-point AF.
  • Macro option at either telephoto or maximum wide angle zoom settings.
  • Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and four Digital Subject Program shooting modes.
  • Shutter speeds from 1/3,200 to 30 seconds (1/1,600 to 30 in Shutter and Manual Modes), with Bulb setting for manual control of long exposures (up to 30 seconds).
  • 256-segment Multi-Segment, Center-Weighted, and Spot metering options, with AE Lock function and Auto Exposure Bracketing.
  • Adjustable ISO with five settings (Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800).
  • Built-in, pop-up flash with five operating modes and manually adjustable intensity.
  • External flash hot-shoe for Konica Minolta accessory flash units.
  • Standard, High Speed, and Ultra High Speed Continuous Advance modes, plus Movie and Night Movie shooting modes.
  • Two- and 10-second Self-Timer modes.
  • Color Saturation, Contrast Compensation, and Hue (color filter) adjustments.
  • Adjustable White Balance with nine modes, including a manual setting and bracketing option.
  • Sharpness and Color control via menu options. Color modes include Natural (sRGB), Vivid Color (sRGB), Black & White, Adobe RGB with embedded color profile, and Portrait (sRGB).
  • RAW and JPEG file formats.
  • Images saved on CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards, Microdrive compatible. SD/MMC cards can also be used with the CF1 adapter.
  • USB cable and interface software for connecting to a computer and downloading images.
  • NTSC or PAL selectable video output signal, with cable included.
  • Power supplied by a single high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack or separate AC adapter (available as an accessory).
  • Included wireless remote control.
  • DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) and PictBridge compliant.

 

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