Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 - Expert Reviews

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: In September 2004 Konica Minolta revealed a slightly surprising new DiMAGE A series digital camera, the DiMAGE A200. Based on the DiMAGE A2 (and predecessor, the A1), the A200 features a new, smaller and more rounded body design, simplified control ...

Pros: Improved resolution over A2 - especially shooting in RAW mode, Image stabilization works exactly as advertised, Mechanically linked zoom ring, Wide angle seven times zoom lens, Generally good performance and operational speed, Low high ISO noise, ...

Cons: Soft images (not just as a result of poor AF), Autofocus errors in certain shooting conditions are too prevalent, Lens being stretched past its resolution capabilities', Mild vignetting / lens shading, Poor automatic white balance in artificial light, ...

Verdict: The DiMAGE A200 takes much of what is appealing about the A2 and repackages it in a more affordable, friendlier and slightly more compact format.

Pros: Compact and ergonomic design, 'true' 28-200mm F2.8, 7x optical zoom lens, great image quality and manual features.

Cons: Slow AF and camera can fire before focus is properly achieved without care taken when using the sensitive shutter button.

Verdict: A revamp of the 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 model that features a slightly trimmed specification from the A2 but also has a few new tricks of its own.

Pros: Compact and ergonomic design, "true" 28-200mm F2.8, 7x optical zoom lens, great image quality and manual features.

Cons: Slow AF and camera can fire before focus is properly achieved without care taken when using the sensitive shutter button.

Pros: Compact and ergonomic design, "true" 28-200mm F2.8, 7x optical zoom lens, great image quality and manual features.

Cons: Slow AF and camera can fire before focus is properly achieved without care taken when using the sensitive shutter button.

Verdict: A revamp of the 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 model that features a slightly trimmed specification from the A2 but also has a few new tricks of its own.

Pros: Very good photo quality7X optical zoom lens with image stabilizationFull manual controlsGood performanceFlip-out, rotating LCD displayManual zoom and focus ringsLCD/EVF usable in low lightNo redeyeCan save five sets of camera settings to mode ...

Cons: Images slightly soft at default settings ; high ISO performance is not good ; some barrel distortionMacro mode isn't great for ultra close-upsI miss the nice EVF from the A2No memory card includedTough competition from digital SLRs

Verdict: While I was hesitant to recommend the old Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 due to image quality issues, I have no qualms about doing so for the new DiMAGE A200 -- it's an excellent 8 Megapixel camera. I do, however, wish that the camera retained some of the ...