Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review
Back in January 2003 Konica and Minolta announced that
they would merge and form the single company 'Konica Minolta'. Just over
a year since that announcement, at PMA 2004 the new Konica Minolta announce
four new cameras which carry the new Konica Minolta branding and logo.
The DiMAGE A2 is a follow-on to the DiMAGE A1. Essentially this camera
is identical to the A1 apart from its sensor, the DiMAGE A1 had a 5 megapixel
2/3" type CCD, the new DiMAGE A2 has an 8 megapixel 2/3" type
CCD.
That said the DiMAGE A2 brings a lot more to the table
than some of the other eight megapixel digital cameras, most notably it's
Anti Shake technology which is uniquely implemented by applying stabilization
to the CCD instead of a lens element, two actuators compensating for horizontal
and vertical movement of the camera (see below). The A2 also has a wide
angle zoom lens and that lovely mechanically linked zoom mechanism which
makes for quick and accurate zoom with a more 'SLR like' feel.
Anti Shake
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| Click for a larger image |
Click for a movie of the Anti-Shake system
in action (exaggerated motion) - 2.1 MB |
As noted above the DiMAGE A2 implements an image stabilization system
by placing the CCD sensor on a movable platform supported by two actuators
(horizontal and vertical). The system works by analyzing input from motion
detectors in the camera body and producing an inverse movement in the
CCD. The system can be disabled (easily by pressing a very prominent button
on the rear of the camera) and can also detect a panning movement and
only compensate for movement on the opposite axis. Minolta claim that
their system enables shutter speeds of 8 times longer (3 stops) than you
would be able to manage without it.
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Apr 20, 2004
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Feb 12, 2004
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Apr 11, 2007
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Apr 11, 2007
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