6mp DSLR v A2 ?

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the 300D?

I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta flash work with A2?

Dekan said:

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the
differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the
300D?
I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All
samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour
accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end
og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta
flash work with A2?

Click to expand...

Like you, I'm waiting to see one or other review showing some really good A2 images. I would like to see Steve's comparison shots taken of the same subjects with the A2 compared to the Pro 1 before I decide what to do. I'm going on an extended holiday to China, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore for two months starting in June and the last thing I want is to lug heavy DSLR equipment around with me.

Having said that if none of the 8 mp units deliver the goods, then I'm more than likely going to get the Nikon D70 with the 24-120 mm VRS lens which is compact and light enough plus the more expensive 12-24 mm lens. The last thing that I want is to bring back ordinary quality images with me.

As a 7i owner, I really hope that the A2 surfaces to the top in terms of quality. But, frankly, from available pictures, the Pro 1 is showing better resolving power. The down side is that it does not have the feature list of the A2. I feel that these two will be the only worthwhile 8 mp units. The Nikon although showing sharp detailed with a good tonal range does not a 28 mm wide angle.

Richard

Also in the same boat. have spent the last few weeks looking at all options.

Coming from a 2Meg Olympus 2100 (10x zoom with stabiliser), for me its a big jump and I want to make the right one. (Unlike many of the helpfull people who populate these forums and offer good advice, I can't afford to upgrade that often).

The thing that has stuck out in all my searching and downloading of pics is the 'cleanliness' of the 300D images.

The only web site that has sample picks (same subject) of the Canon 300D, Minolta A2, and Sony 828 is
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/backno/dcr.htm

Attached are sample selections from the 3 cameras at 300%
(OK I know it's extreme magnification - but it illustrates my point.)
(and I know they were taken on different days & times)







The Canon one is so much cleaner. If someone can offer advice on how to get near that level of cleanliness with the A2 I would be very grateful, because in all other aspects the A2 would be my choice....

Dekan said:

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the
differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the
300D?
I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All
samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour
accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end
og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta
flash work with A2?

Click to expand...

This is my first portrait made with the new Minolta A2 from the Netherlands

If you are going to view your images at 300% then you will never get the same viewing experience using the A2, IMO.

kdw said:

Also in the same boat. have spent the last few weeks looking at all
options.
Coming from a 2Meg Olympus 2100 (10x zoom with stabiliser), for me
its a big jump and I want to make the right one. (Unlike many of
the helpfull people who populate these forums and offer good
advice, I can't afford to upgrade that often).

The thing that has stuck out in all my searching and downloading of
pics is the 'cleanliness' of the 300D images.

The only web site that has sample picks (same subject) of the Canon
300D, Minolta A2, and Sony 828 is
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/backno/dcr.htm

Attached are sample selections from the 3 cameras at 300%
(OK I know it's extreme magnification - but it illustrates my point.)
(and I know they were taken on different days & times)







The Canon one is so much cleaner. If someone can offer advice on
how to get near that level of cleanliness with the A2 I would be
very grateful, because in all other aspects the A2 would be my
choice....

Click to expand...

--



Beauty is in the eye of the Bee-holder...

fotog said:

If you are going to view your images at 300% then you will never
get the same viewing experience using the A2, IMO.

Click to expand...

I didn't say I was going to view all images at 300% - It was just easier to show the differences at that res.

Well then should't you compare the cameras at you intended outputs? Will you print, and if so, what size? For prints up to A3 I doubt you will see much difference, especially if the image was made in good light.

kdw said:

fotog said:

If you are going to view your images at 300% then you will never
get the same viewing experience using the A2, IMO.

Click to expand...

I didn't say I was going to view all images at 300% - It was just
easier to show the differences at that res.

Click to expand...

--



Beauty is in the eye of the Bee-holder...

Pooh4You said:

This is my first portrait made with the new Minolta A2 from the
Netherlands

Click to expand...

If you squeeze him I bet he makes NOISE.
--
http://www.pbase.com/bertramm
pbase & dpreview supporter
Dimage A2, Epsom 3200 scanner, HP 2500 printer
Photoshop CS, Qimage, ACDSee

Dekan said:

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the
differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the
300D?
I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All
samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour
accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end
og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta
flash work with A2?

Click to expand...

Have a look at:

http://www2.konicaminolta.jp/english/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-a2/sampleimage.html

Then download and print image #6. Just looking at it on your monitor will not convince you. I printed an 11x17 inch and immediately ordered an A2, and have been very pleased with it.

--
http://www.pbase.com/bertramm
pbase & dpreview supporter
Dimage A2, Epsom 3200 scanner, HP 2500 printer
Photoshop CS, Qimage, ACDSee

Why don't you print those pix from the three cameras?

Make an A4 or A3 print from a few comparative samples. You will learn so much about the quality of the pictures from these cameras by making prints. Nobody else's opinion matters on this.

In my opinion if image quality is your sole criterion then the 300D or Nikon D70 is worth making the stretch for. Does this matter if you make A4 (or 8x10) prints? Hmm, perhaps only marginally.

One specific advantage that the DSLRs have is that you can get better pictures when the going gets tough (e.g. they take better pix in low light). The picture quality from DSLRs is also more forgiving of exposure mistakes.

The cost of DSLRs is well known by now. The buik, the expensive lenses (if you don't want to use primes) required to get sharp results corner to corner, the lack of a live preview of the picture, etc. etc.

Another thing to watch out for is that DSLR pix typically need to be sharpened before printing. You might need to futz around with that when you make your own test prints. Be careful that you don't make the picture look noisier when you sharpen.

I know it's not simple - but if you are going to be pixel-perfectionist before you buy the camera, then the least you should do is be pixel-perfectionist in how you make your own prints.

It might be an idea to ask the 300D forum what sort of processing people do when they make A4 or A3 size prints. Do they sharpen? How much? Do they tweak the contrast?

Oh yeah, I have the A2/F828 wide angle shots of that scene printed out, here, at A4. The A2 has softer corners. The A2 performs worse than the F828 for corner softness and barrel distortion at 28mm wide-angle, but at all other focal lengths the A2 seems better to me. The purple fringing from the F828 is evident across the entire picture. PF from the A2 can be seen in isolated spots (e.g. extreme left). The F828 picture is a little brighter (I compensated the A2 pic before printing but some difference remains) and I can just detect that the F828 is cleaner.

To my eyes the F828 looks a bit too digital and "over-sharpened", using A3 print size test crops. I can only print A4 here, so the A3 size is simulated by blowing up the pictures to A3 and then copying small areas onto an A4 page and printing. Maybe my print driver is doing too much of its own sharpening...

It's worth noting that the F828 and A2 sample pix do not need sharpening before printing. The default sharpening level for both cameras is designed for printing at A3/A4.

Typically, Minolta uses the least noise reduction of all the camera manufacturers.

It's a bit dangerous to base a purchasing decision on a single comparison scene, though.

Jawed

Ordered the 8700 AND A2.

Currently have the A1 and had the 7Hi, and 5700--both sold.

Question--I really don't think I am prosumer ready both experience wise---procesing-wise and size -wise. But I love a tack sharp high rs photo. The 828 was great when it was great- but too much CA so I returned it.

I am going to compare these cams and decide if the A2 is really that much an improvement.

Comments-other than I am nuts- are welcome!

My next option is the Pentax istD due to its size and handling. So few folks even mention it.

So - I have been trying to sell my virtually, new, mint A1 with 2 year extra warranty and have decided to compare to see if it is worth the loss since it took me 2 other A1's to get a truly low noise A1 that has been impeccable.

I just feel badly-like a former poster--that with less than 500 photos on the
A1-once again as with my 7Hi--I am going to lose megabucks.

Can't wait to read these posts then try for myself.

engbert said:

Dekan said:

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the
differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the
300D?
I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All
samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour
accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end
og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta
flash work with A2?

Click to expand...

Have a look at:

http://www2.konicaminolta.jp/english/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-a2/sampleimage.html

Then download and print image #6. Just looking at it on your
monitor will not convince you. I printed an 11x17 inch and
immediately ordered an A2, and have been very pleased with it.

--
http://www.pbase.com/bertramm
pbase & dpreview supporter
Dimage A2, Epsom 3200 scanner, HP 2500 printer
Photoshop CS, Qimage, ACDSee

Click to expand...

engbert said:

Have a look at:

http://www2.konicaminolta.jp/english/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-a2/sampleimage.html

Then download and print image #6. Just looking at it on your
monitor will not convince you. I printed an 11x17 inch and
immediately ordered an A2, and have been very pleased with it.

Click to expand...

As you say - a very good photo. But I was suprised by the poor showing of the other A2 photo's on Minoltas sample page.

Compared with the samples for the A1 and the new Z2 on the Minolta site, you get the impression they were'nt really bothered about the A2.

Luminous Landscape just published a first look at the Oly as part of its review of the new 8mp "crossover" cams. At the end, when commenting on his supposed Sony bias, Michael said that he was at that point testing three other 8mp cameras, and at least one of them sent the Sony to the locker room. Assuming it's not the Nikon, must be the Canon or Minolta. Hmmm. Mike

Dekan said:

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the
differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the
300D?
I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All
samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour
accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end
og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta
flash work with A2?

Click to expand...

in the grey background as well as in the hair

Seriously, this is the kind of image that I begin to find it difficult to find 'digital trace' which I was able to distinguish at 1:1 crop for most of the image I saw, including sub-6MP DSLR. Afterall, the 8MP is not without its advantage.

The sample also illustrate a point that with good lighting and properly exposed(I believe to the right of the histogram, especially the skin), the image is surprisingly pleasing. So, instead of treating the skin as 'mid-tone', bump it a zone or two and at this resolution, the image is just gorgeous.

The A2 can be one held of a device for serious in studio portrait work which I know Dimage 7 has been used this way too, but A2 is just better in terms of resolution as well as other improvement like faster focusing.

You have a winner in your hand.

engbert said:

Have a look at:

http://www2.konicaminolta.jp/english/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-a2/sampleimage.html

Then download and print image #6. Just looking at it on your
monitor will not convince you. I printed an 11x17 inch and
immediately ordered an A2, and have been very pleased with it.

Click to expand...

lharris said:

My next option is the Pentax istD due to its size and handling. So
few folks even mention it.

Click to expand...

Probably because it is in a very different price bracket to the prosumers
and the cheap dslr/s. If you are looking at A2/F828/300D, etc, then you
probably aren't going to be in the market for an *istD or E1 et al.

--
Peter

For portraits 2 things are very important when talking about the capabilities of the camera:

1. Skin tones/smooth, low noise images

2. controlling the focus distance and getting an out of focus/blurred background

For these situations none of the 8mp cameras will come even close to the quality you'll get from a DSLR.

Dekan said:

I am considering buying the new A2, does anyone know how the
differences in image quality compare with a 6MP DSLR such as the
300D?
I am interested in flesh tones for portaits and dog fur. All
samples seem to be mostly still lifes, so it is hard to tell colour
accuracy. I have Minolta 35mm equipment but cant wait until the end
og the year for Minolta DSLR. Also will the Cobra dedicated Minolta
flash work with A2?

Click to expand...

Actually, if you shoot wide open near the long end of the zoom, you will reduce your DOF quite a bit. This will give you a better OOF background...

Agent said:

For portraits 2 things are very important when talking about the
capabilities of the camera:

1. Skin tones/smooth, low noise images

2. controlling the focus distance and getting an out of
focus/blurred background

For these situations none of the 8mp cameras will come even close
to the quality you'll get from a DSLR.

Click to expand...

Yes there are workarounds, but the end result is not comparable.

Gary Berg said:

Agent said:

For portraits 2 things are very important when talking about the
capabilities of the camera:

1. Skin tones/smooth, low noise images

2. controlling the focus distance and getting an out of
focus/blurred background

For these situations none of the 8mp cameras will come even close
to the quality you'll get from a DSLR.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

What about the Portrait Mode on the A2? That is supposed to provide an OOF background. Has anyone tried it?

Lee

Agent said:

Gary Berg said:

Agent said:

For portraits 2 things are very important when talking about the
capabilities of the camera:

1. Skin tones/smooth, low noise images

2. controlling the focus distance and getting an out of
focus/blurred background

For these situations none of the 8mp cameras will come even close
to the quality you'll get from a DSLR.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Lee,

I have not tried it, but what it usually does is just select a wider aperture for you, the same you could do in A priority mode. It might also make the details a little softer as to not show every pore, and may tone the color back a notch.

LeeR said:

Lee

Agent said:

Gary Berg said:

Agent said:

For portraits 2 things are very important when talking about the
capabilities of the camera:

1. Skin tones/smooth, low noise images

2. controlling the focus distance and getting an out of
focus/blurred background

For these situations none of the 8mp cameras will come even close
to the quality you'll get from a DSLR.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--



Beauty is in the eye of the Bee-holder...