Konica Minolta updates it's Dimage A1 with the 8-megapixel SLR-type Dimage A2, featuring a fast, innovative new 3D autofocusing (AF) system, anti-shake function for still images and VGA-quality videos, and a continuous advance of 7 frames per second. The Dimage A2 also offers a 7x optical zoom, high-quality, 30 fps video, high resolution electronic viewfinder, and a wide range of professional photographic features--from RAW image recording to live histogram readout and in-camera color management.
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| The A2's 1.8-inch high-contrast color LCD monitor can tilt between 20 and +90 degrees. |
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Optics and Resolution Designed for maximum image quality, the Dimage A2 is built around a high-precision electro-optical system starting with an 8 megapixel, 2/3-type interlace scan CCD that can capture even individual hairs or the stitches of a suit in sharp detail. It features a maximum 3264 x 2448 pixel resolution as well as the following lower resolution modes: 2560 x 1920, 2080 x 1560, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480.
The f/2.8 -- 3.5, 7X optical zoom is an apochromatic (APO) lens employing anomalous dispersion (AD) glass to minimize chromatic aberration at all focal lengths and produce sharp, high-contrast images. With a focal range of 7.2 -- 50.8mm, it is equivalent to a 28 -- 200mm zoom lens in the 35mm format.
Video and Audio
The Dimage A2 can record video with audio at 544 x 408 pixels at 30 frames per second--providing a smooth, seamless picture when viewed on your TV. A Night Movie function makes subjects highly visible even in dark settings. Additionally, the Dimage A2 comes bundled with fun-to-use video software, Video Studio 7 SE by ULEAD, for video editing from analog and digital image import, outright editing, and output to video CD.
You can record up to 15 seconds of sound with the Voice Memo feature immediately after a shot has been taken. The Audio Caption feature records simultaneously during playback and you can record up to 180 minutes of audio (depending on your memory card size).
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| The Dimage A2 features a CCD-shift mechanism, outlined above in green, to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand. Below, a photo with Anti-Shake off (right) and the same subject with Anti-Shake on (left). |
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More Features The Anti-Shake feature provides a highly effective way to deal with camera shake--a major cause of substandard images, especially with telephoto shots and when shooting in dim lighting. The Dimage A2 features a CCD-shift mechanism to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand, providing stability at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than on digital cameras without an Anti-Shake function.
The high-density display developed for the Dimage A2 uses four times as many pixels as the previous EVF of earlier models. The A2's 922,000-pixel TFT LCD delivers clear images and sharp, contoured information. Additionally, it can be viewed at up to a 32-degree angle, so one glance gives you all the information you need to take the perfect picture. This new VGA EVF provides numerous benefits including subject visibility in dark places, the ability to check exposure and other settings before shooting, the ability to check various data points when composing your picture, and tilting for low-angle photography.
With continuous autofocusing, the Dimage A2 uses 3-D Predictive Focus Control to track the subject right up to the moment the exposure is made, ensuring optimum focus. This predictive focus control continuously follows the subject through three-dimensional space, regardless of direction, not only to give the sharpest images possible but also to reduce focusing time to catch the perfect moment.
The Flex Focus Point single crosshair sensor can be placed anywhere within the field-of-view. With the camera on a tripod, simply use the controller's four-way key to position the flex focus point on the subject; the AF system will use that point for each exposure. The spot metering area can also be switched between a center spot and the flex focus point.
Other features include:
- RAW and JPEG image capture
- Flash modes: Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear flash sync, Wireless/Remote flash
- Two Adobe RGB options are available for color management applications so that the image can be captured with or without the Adobe RGB profile embedded
- Ultra-High Speed (UHS) Continuous Advance mode to set the camera to capture images at approximately 7 frames per second
- 12-bit A/D conversion can distinguish up to 4,096 levels in each color channel
- Real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured
- Output photos directly to a PictBridge-compliant printer without having to go through a personal computer
CxProcess II Image Processor
Konica Minolta's newest image processing technology, CxProcess II, is used to bring out the best in the 8 megapixel CCD. CxProcess II controls the essential image qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise. Brilliant, saturated color remains vibrant without becoming unnatural. Subtle contrast is rendered to retain the richness and depth of the subject while preserving details in the highlights and shadows. Sharpness is controlled to show fine detail while minimizing hard, unnatural edges.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash cards (Type I/II), and it supports Microdrives. The Dimage A2 does not come with a memory card. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 2.0 connectivity.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-400), which has 11.1 Wh of energy and can shoot approximately 280 images on a single charge. The Dimage A2 measures 4.6 x 3.4 x 4.4 inches and weighs 19.9 ounces without battery or recording media.
What's in the Box
This package contains the Dimage A2 digital camera, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-400), battery charger, neck strap, lens cap, lens hood, accessory shoe cap, USB and A/V cables, and a CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer software.
1 I own one
Konica Minolta Dimage A2 with Anti Shake Optical Zoom.
I own this camera,it was an upgrade from a Minolta Dimage 404 and I love it.
I took a cross country trip in September and the the camera performed teriffic in numerous lighting contitions.
The Anti Shake feature alone is worth the price.
I recommend having several batteries,I carry 3 so that I can having one charging all the time.
I also have 512mg compact cards,big pixils you will need large media cards
2 A2 versus A1: improvement or trade-off?
First off, let me disclose that I do not own an A2: I have an A1 and decided not to upgrade to the A2 for reasons that follow. Also, I am experienced in the use of both film and digital cameras as well as Photoshop and other digital darkroom tools.
Here's my conclusion: buy an A1. In moving up the mega-pixels from 5.3 to 8 Minolta made a subtle trade-off in reducing the A/D conversion from 14Bit to 12Bit. The 'A/D conversion' describes how much information each pixel is able to report to the CPU and ultimately, to the final print. If the information is color, the A1 reports 16,384 while the A2 only reports 4,096. Does this matter? If you are using a 'home' version digital darkroom that only handles 8 Bits per channel, probably not. Photoshop CS uses 16Bits per channel in its top-quality mode as does Elements 3, so you should be able to see the difference with the A1 providing the better picture at 'full-pixel' resolution.
So, the A2 might make bigger pictures, but they will not look as good as the A1. For most purposes either camera will do a fine job, I'm sure. I have shot thousands of pics with my A1 and the only complaint I would lodge is about the auto-focus in low light: it should be infra-red assisted.
Also, save the .jpg settings for 'snapshots' for the web: there is way too much compression done in the camera and you cannot get it back in the digital darkroom. Use 'Raw' where possible and work with PS Elements 3 and you will be very pleasantly surprised.
3 High-quality camera
I've had my A2 for over six months now and I can say I love it. It's not perfect, but for the price it's very good. It's lovely to hold and operate, especially with the BP400 battery grip attached. Knobs and buttons are well-placed and easy to operate.
I'm not going to go over all the things I like about the camera. Instead I'll point out the few things I think could be better:
- An LCD that would swing out to the side, and tilt up and down more (like on the A200). Some times it would help me take shots easier if I could move the LCD around more.
- Less noise at higher speeds. At 400 the noise is trouble some and at 800 it's not very nice at all. Although this is pretty much the same as with comparable cameras.
- Faster and more accurate autofocus in low light. Again, many cameras suffer from this, but when there is little light, the A2 doesn't focus very well. Luckily manual focus is pretty good, but you can't always use that.
4 Nikon vs. Minolta vs. Canon vs. Olympus, or d-SLR?
Ok, this isn't one of my usual hands-on reviews. I ain't got the kind of money to buy all these cameras and test them. But I wanted to give potential buyers some help...
Should you consider an SLR-type EVF (electronic viewfinder) digital camera or an interchangeable-lens digital SLR for serious photography? I faced this question and agonized over it for months. I wish I had come across this brief and very helpful article by Popular Photography Magazine (I'm not affiliated with them in any way):
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The article compares five current-model EVF cameras: Canon PowerShot Pro 1, Konica-Minolta Dimage A2, Nikon Coolpix 8700, Olympus Camedia C-8080, and Sony Cybershot DSC-F828. It's a very easy read, and at the end the writers give you a helpful checklist for the EVF vs. d-SLR decision.
As for myself, I'm going with a d-SLR since I want 1) high-quality lens, 2) lens choices, 3) little to no shutter lag, and 4) accessory choices. Good luck!
5 Camera is 3 weeks old now - Oustanding Results
Was debating between the fuji Finepix s7000 and this one. Nearly the same price. Made the right choice.
Anti-shake has outstanding performance, the twist zoom is excellent and so is battery life. Picture quality in 'sharp' mode is unbelievable. Read some reviews that images were too soft, but the sharp mode corrects that. Battery life is much better than competition but get a spare anyway. Very satisfied now.
6 lot of bells and whistle, but does not amount to much
Pro: The camera itself is easy to use. Has a lot of bells ans whistle, which you may or may not need for everyday photography of ameteures. I don't think it is worth the price. If I were to buy one again, I would go for something simple. If you don't worry about every litttle detail in shooting a picture, then the numerous knobs and control will only contribute to your overall confusion. As far as the picture quality is concerned, I did not find it any different (good or bad) from much cheaper camera that my brother bought. The feature that is good is the anti Shake zoom. I have a lot of experience with SLR cameras, and if I compare the optics with those (particularly Nikon) the optics of this camera is only marginal.
The software simply stincks !! Minolta can not write a half way decent USB driver. The computer cannot see the camera, consequently I can not transfer the pictures from the camera to the computer.
Minolta's technical support is really a joke. Instead of listening to what my problem is , they want to tell me what my problem is!!! And they are so adamant about it.
7 Better Than I'd Hoped
I've had my A2 for one month. It exceeds my expectations. If you want outstanding prints the A2 will deliver. Film experience will help you get the most from the cam. I've taken a couple of thousand pics with it and I continue to be suprised by the number of keepers! Very,very nice. Read the reviews and believe them. I've sold my film gear. Something I never intended when I bought the cam. Awesome.
30 DAY UPDATE: Still loving my A2. The software that comes with the cam does an outstanding job of editing your pic. I thought I would be using Photoshop to open my pics but so far I really can say I haven't used it.(The photos look a little different when opened with PS, but not "better") The Dimage Viewer Sharpens very nicely. I'm printing with my Canon i960, results are outstanding. I still give it 5 stars plus. Sweet. Viewfinder is xcellent and LCD screen is nicest around. Didn't think I would need the viewfinder to tilt up but I use it that way 100% of the time. Also the tilt up of the the LCD makes for some nice waist high shots. If You Want the Number 1 Prosumer cam the A2 is it. Frankly I have no cons. That is sweet! Oh yeah, I finally tried the video recorder and the results are outstanding. You will have to use the Dimage Viewer to get rid of flicker, etc. Once you do so you wil be stunned that a still camera can take video of this quality. I couldn't be happier.
8 poor repair service in the US!
Both of my LCD's (viewfinder too!) went completely blank after 2 weeks of use during my learning period. I had to sent my almost new A2 to Minolta repair center in NY, and it has been waiting for repair for over 4 weeks!
Their service center is the only one in the US and it seems they don't even have spare parts to fix A2's. They have been waiting for ~4 weeks just to get some spare part and all they can "guarantee" is up to another 4 weeks of repair time! I am wondering if I am just unlucky or other A2 owners shared the fate. With all the respect to many possitive reviews I have seen for A2, I will never buy Minolta again because of their service. It's not exactly a cheap camera to get such a poor support.
There are other A2 users reporting problems with this camera (just google Dimage A2 problem), so maybe it's anot an accident and Minolta has some production quality issue with A2.
9 Great camera for the price
I've owned my A2 for roughly 1.5 months. This camera performs like a champ and am glad that I ended up buying it. I originally had my eye on the A1, but as soon as I found out about the A2, I wasn't going back.
Due to that fact alone, I've been reviewing cameras for the last 7-8 months. I've looked extensively at the 8 megapixel camera arena. It really came down between the Sony F828 and the Minolta A2. In the end I picked the A2. The raw format is actually usable on this camera as well as the UHS drive mode (allows you to take up to 8 shots/sec). Another feature thats great on this camera is the anti shake. Allows you to save up to 2 FStops alone.
If you need further proof of this cameras superiority, just check out the reviews online (luminous-landscape, digital outback photo).
10 excellent camera
"Playing" with this camera for a couple of hours before returning it to the store does not give oneself sufficient time to really appreciate what the A2 is capable of. Macro, lens,build quality,battery life,EVF,features & functions,manual zoom & anti-shake all add up to stunning results when you LEARN how to use this camera to it's full potential.
11 Bad quality control
Got the camera with a few dead pixels on the LCD monitor. Did they do their QC?!Returned to Amazon with no hassle though.
I only played with it for 2 hours and here's what I found-
Pro: auto switch between EVF and LCD, Nice lens with mechanical zoom, anti-shake, fast start
Cons: cumbersome control for zoom in/out the photo, manually turned-on flash, no swivel LCD, the CF slot cap can be easily mis-opened (no secure mechanism), movie is limited to 15 min, no hole on the lens cap for a string to hang the cap while shooting, no AC adapter in the box
Good news:
I just found out that Konica released a new model DiMAGE A200 right after I returned this lemon. There are some new features which should worth the wait, hopefully won't take long. Lord, I'm so lucky out of this lemon A2. Definitely go for the new A200 once it's available.
12 Really Like This Camera
Choose this camera if you have ever had problems with camera shake.
This is my first ever "pro-sumer" camera. I upgraded from a point-and-shoot 3.2 mega pixel Sony model because I enjoy being able be creative. If you're like me, someone who is ready for more than just point-and-shoot photography, the Dimage A2 is a good match for you.
There is undoubtedly a learning curve associated with the Dimage A2. Since it has 8.0 mega pixels under the hood, making some final touches in post-processing can dramatically improve the final image.
One of the Dimage's most beneficial features of this camera is the real-time histogram. I'm also impressed with the quality of the electronic view finder (EVF). Overall, my wife and I are very satisfied with our investment into the Dimage A2.
13 Use ISO 64 Setting
Having a Konica Minolta DiMage X with which I am very happy, I decided to get this camera when I wanted an 8MP camera with better zoom capability. At first I was unpleasantly surprised with the amount of noise (color specks) showing in the pictures. Later I discovered that by putting the ISO setting on 64 instead of Auto, the noise is greatly reduced. Now I'm basically happy with the camera, but it seems that they should mention this in the documentation. Pictures at the highest ISO settings (400 and 800) are really bad - I guess these settings are there only for extreme low-light situations.
The electronic viewfinder is amazing. I'm nearsighted and have trouble with the LCD display, but I can easily see everything in the viewfinder (including menus and playback of pictures). I just keep the LCD off all the time.
14 gets the shake out &much more!
I HAVE PARKINSON'S DESEASE, THIS CAMERA GETS THE SHAKE OUT, AND THE QUAILITY IS GREAT. THE PHOTOS ARE CRISP AND CLEAR. OPERATION IS SIMPLE. WAIT TIL YOU TRY THE VIDEO, THE SOUND AND FILMING IS SIMPLE. LOVE THIS CAMERA!.
15 Ideal for serious photographer
If you are interested in taking black-and-white photographs for creative photography, A2 is the perfect choice! As compared to other competitors at the similar price and resolution (8 MP), A2 has the following good features. 1. It has a black-and-white mode. 2. The file can be saved as TIFF for artistic editing without losing resolution after repeated saving. 3. The battery function is satisfied. 4. A2 has a rapid focusing and antishake device.
16 Great ergonomics, but it's the resolution that counts...
There is so much to like about the Minolta A2. Despite the large plethora of features, the learning curve is surprisingly easy, and before long using the camera feels very intuitive to use. Once the camera is set up you rarely have to use the menus as nearly all functions can be changed with buttons. The layout of these buttons falls so nicely that you can change many of them while looking through the viewfinder. Focus is fast and once I had set the camera to 'flex point focusing' I rarely encountered any focus issues. I did find that the flash default setting produced underexposed pictures so I had to compensate with 0.7+ flash exposure compensation. I also found that the auto white balance with flash did not work correctly and resulted in green or yellow pictures, but seemed to be easily corrected by setting the white balance to flash. The anti-shake feature really works and extends the usefulness of the camera. I was able to take reasonably sharp pictures even at 1/8 shutter speeds. To summarize, the ergonomics of the camera are superb and it really is a joy to use.
But..and it's a big but...the problem for me is that the resolution is just too poor. My previous camera was a Canon G2 so I was expecting (naively perhaps) similar resolution on images 2X as big. That was not the case. The A2's pictures are noticeably softer. Even when changing some internal settings such as contrast and in-camera sharpening the results were not much better. I also tried taking some pictures using Raw but could not match the sharpness of the G2. I tried some side by side tests of taking pictures with the G2 and A2. I was rather alarmed when I printed the pictures (at 8x10) only to discover that the unprocessed G2 was considerably sharper than the A2. There was detail in the G2 picture that just simply vanished in the A2. It was obvious too even with 4x6 pictures. There's always the possibility of doing post-processing of course but I feel that with a camera in this class that shouldn't be necessary on *every* picture.
So, relunctantly I'm returning my A2 for a refund which makes me feel very sad because it fulfills so many of my needs in a camera. But in the end it felt like driving a very nice and well-equipped car with every possible convenience but where the car couldn't drive faster than 50 mph! It is of course quite possible that I have a lemon. Judging by other people's experiences on various forums there do seem to be some quality issues with the A2. All this makes me even more reluctant to return this for a replacement.
17 LOVE THIS CAMERA!!!!
Bought this camera before going to Europe. Left my Nikon SLR at home. I have no regrets. Excellent viewfinder, no digital lag when taking photos, compact, lightweight, excellent zoom lens, long battery life. We are done with film at our house. Great for point and shoot, but also lots of bells and whistles for tweaking photos depending on conditions. Well thought out. Kudos to Minolta on an excellent product.
18 Extremely pleased with A2
I have read others in forums talking about problem A2's and having to return several to get a good one. Perhaps I was lucky but mine has been perfect right out of the box. Even my wife who thinks I am crazy to buy so many digital cameras agrees that the photos from this one are fantastic. As I am getting older the anti-shake feature is a real bonus. I traded in a Sony 828 on the A2. The Sony was a good camera, nothing really wrong except a little purple fringe under certain circumstances. None of that on my A2. I couldn't be more satisfied.
19 Wow, what an upgrade.
I should preface this review by saying that I am not an expert, rather a moderately experienced digital camera user who wants to learn more.
This camera has it all (read the stats), but some of the unique features include the viewfinder (best on the market - almost like looking through the lens on an SLR), manual zoom, and "anti-shake" which gives some protection against shaky hands. I have only had the camera for a few days. I find it to be rather easy to use, even though it is a different brand from my prior digicam (the Canon PowerShot S30). Got outside today and the results were stunning - fast focus, great zoom, impeccable detail, true color (not the "bling bling" color some cameras produce that just aren't real). The prints (from the Canon 860) are gorgeous. Indoor shots were typical digicam shots, difficult to take good ones, though we have had terrible light in the house the past few days.
It is heavy, for a digicam, but fits my hands well. There are lots of buttons and dials but they feel intuitive to me, again, even though I used to a different brand of camera. I think it would be a hard camera for someone who has never used digital or done much photography, but for moderately experienced digital or film user, it will be a dream. It uses compact flash (none included, I would get a 512 at least) and a proprietary battery (which seems to last very well, much better than my Canon did).
I give it five stars after two days. I might revise my review as I continue to use it, and uncover weaknesses. This camera has an infinite array of features - I know, not literally true -and can do most anything you might ever want to do.
Highly Recommend - Enjoy!
