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Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 review

Started Mar 21, 2006 | User reviews thread
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anirut New Member • Posts: 22
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 review

I chose the KM A200 camera over the Fuji S9000 (S9500), the Panasonic FZ30 and even the KM 5D (DSLR). I had hands-on testing of all four before making my decision.

I've had this camera for two weeks now and have taken a few hundred pictures. This camera is by no means a point and shoot (and I like it this way). A novice photographer should take time to understand the many functions and features.

Construction: I can accept polycarbonate body. The weight is right -- not too light. The buttons are laid out ergonomically well, except for the AF/M and the shift buttons on the left that I don't like. They're laid in a little awkward place, but acceptable.

The A200 is nice and small to carry around during trips too.

Features: Overall, very good. I really like the Filter Feature. The feature helped me correct the color of my subject when I shot pictures through my green-tinted car window. (I never knew this feature existed when I decided on the A200!)

Image quality: The pictures at ISO 200 and above were grainy (noise) but the looks of the noise are similar to film grain. I don't mind this at all. This is better than blotchy noise in some other cameras.

Ease of use: Anyone with good understanding of and proficient in photography should have very, very little problems with this camera. One thing everyone should keep in mind is that this is not a DSLR and the A200 does its job as a prosumer very, very well.

OK, the focusing may not be as fast as to one's liking but it works well enough most of the time. I've taken pictures of my 8-month-old nephew (who was never still) with slight motion blurs, a bit out of focus, but the pictures were of a 'lively' child. The thing that need mentioning is that the pictures were taken at speeds as low as 1/8 in natural room lighting with ISO 200. And the AntiShake really rocks.

I usually shoot with the M (manual) setting to have full control of the lighting. Things are really easy to see the real time changes of the settings.

As I said above, anyone proficient in photography should have very little problem, because you would know how to work around when situations become unfavorable. You need to learn to use the camera to a certain extent and, yes, if you're proficient, you won't complain (much).

Value for money: For such a small and very capable camera, this is one camera that the price is really right. I got my A200 + a spare battery + 2GB 80X CF + a high speed card reader for around US$ 763 (30,540 Thai Baht).

And the price is really right because I'm paying in 10 installments! And I'm using the camera to make money and not just for a hobby...

Notes:
I was also considering the KM 5D DSLR. But I decided on the A200 due to understanding that the DSLR technology is still very young and you'll get better stuff in a few years from now, so I don't want to 'over invest'.

-- hide signature --

Sincere thanks to the KM forum for all good suggestions.

Problems:

Manual focus is difficult. Images were not sharp to conveniently judge the sharpness.

My batteries got drained pretty fast even without the flash.

This is not a problem, but I wish I had the until-the-card-is-full movies feature of other cameras.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200
8 megapixels • 1.8 screen • 28 – 200 mm (7.1×)
Announced: Sep 15, 2004
anirut's score
4.6
Average community score
4.4
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