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 layout and a flip-out and twist LCD monitor (compared to the A2's tilt-only unit). Otherwise the specifications reveal a slightly cut-back unit which loses some A2 features but improves on others.
Like the A2, the A200 offers a wealth of photographic features, mechanically operated 28-200mm equivalent zoom lens and Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake technology that employs a unique CCD-shift mechanism (also seen in the recent Dynax 7D digital SLR).
Here's some of the key new features and changes:
- New flip-out and twist LCD monitor (higher resolution 1.8", 134,000 pixels)
- New Electronic viewfinder, no eye sensor, fixed (doesn't tilt)
- New CxProcess™ III image processor
- Larger movie clip mode: 800 x 600 @ 15 fps
- Interpolated digital zoom mode: 4x
- Base sensitivity lower at ISO 50 (compared to ISO 64 on the A2)
- New 'Portrait (sRGB)' color space option
- New pop-up flash, same range, now automatic or manual, no wireless flash
- No PC Sync flash terminal
- New NP-800 Lithium-Ion battery
- Marginally smaller (3 mm narrower, 5 mm shorter)
- Lighter by 60 g (2.1 oz)
Konica Minolta A2 vs A200 (major differences)
![]() Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 |
![]() Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 |
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Price (street) | $699 | $830 |
ISO sensitivity | Auto, 50,100,200,400,800 | Auto, 64,100,200,400,800 |
Viewfinder | 0.44 inch 320x240 pixels –5 to +2 m-1 dioptre control |
0.44 inch 640x480 pixel 0-90º adjustment –3.5 to +1.5 m-1 dioptre control eye sensor |
Shooting modes | JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG | JPEG, RAW, TIFF, RAW+JPEG |
LCD | 1.8-inch, 134,000 pixels Flip out and twist |
1.8-inch, 118,000 pixels |
Motion tracking AF | No | Yes |
Multi segment metering | 256 segments |
300 segments |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 sec | 1/4000 sec |
Movie Mode (Max) | 800 x 600 @ 15fps 640 x 480 @ 30fps Max 15 minutes |
544 x 408 @ 30fps Max 6 minutes |
Continuous shooting | 2.3 fps (full size images), 5 frames 10 fps (640 x 480 images) |
2.7 fps (full size images), 3 frames 7 fps (640 x 480 images) |
Bracketing options | Exposure White Balance |
Exposure White Balance Contrast Saturation Hue (color) |
Interval recording | No | Yes |
Flash PC synch terminal | No | Yes |
Optional battery pack/ vertical shooting grip | No | Yes |
Top plate info LCD | No | Yes |
Wireless flash | No | Yes |
Wireless remote | Included | Not available |
Digital Zoom (Max) | 4x | 2x |
Image Processor | CxProcess III | CxProcess II |
Battery | NP-800 | NP-400 |
Weight (inc. battery) | 579 g (20.4 oz) | 639 g (22.5 oz) |
Dimensions | 114 x 80 x 115 mm (4.5 x 3.2 x 4.5 in) | 117 x 85 x 114 mm (4.6 x 3.4 x 4.5 in) |
Other differences | New Portrait (sRGB) color space |
Key specifications
Street price | US: $699 UK: £430 |
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Body Material | Polycarbonate |
Sensor | • 2/3 inch interlaced primary-color CCD |
Image sizes | • 3264 x 2448 • 2560 x 1920 • 2080 x 1560 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 |
Movie clips | • 800 x 600 (15 fps) |
Lens | 28 - 200mm equiv. (7x optical zoom) |
Focus | Video AF Auto and manual focus Continuous and single shot AF AF illuminator Wide area, Spot (11 focus areas), Flex focus 25cm closest focus (macro mode, telephoto) |
Shooting mode | • Programmed AE with program shift |
Sensitivity | Auto ISO 50,100,200,400,800 |
White Balance | Auto 7 presets Manual (2 custom settings) |
Image parameters | Contrast (10 levels) Saturation (10 levels) Color filter ((10 levels from cool to warm) |
Color modes | • Natural Color (sRGB) • Vivid Color (sRGB) • Portrait (sRGB) • Adobe RGB • Embedded Adobe RGB • Black and white (neutral and toned) • Solarization |
Continuous | 2 fps, max 5 frames 2.3 fps, max 5 frames 10 fps, 640 x 480 pixels, limited by card size |
Flash | Built-in pop-up flash (manual activation) Auto, Manual (fill flash), Red-eye reduction, Slow sync: on/off/rear Range (Auto ISO): W:0.5 -3.8m (1.6 - 12.5 ft; T: 0.5– 3.0 m (1.6– 9.8 ft) • Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps |
Storage | CompactFlash I/II |
Viewfinder | 0.44-inch electronic viewfinder Approx coverage 100% Dioptre adjustment 320 x 240 pixels 235,000 visible dots |
LCD monitor | • 1.8" TFT LCD, 134,000 pixels • 100% frame coverage • Vari-angle (Flip-out and twist) |
Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (12 MB/s) • A/V out • DC-IN |
Power | • NP-800 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery • Battery charger included |
Supplied accessories* | • Neck Strap NS-DG8000, |
Other features | 256 Zone Multi, Spot (center or focus point) and Centre-weighted metering |
Weight (excl batts) | 505 g (17.8 oz) |
Dimensions | 114 x 80 x 115 mm (4.5 x 3.2 x 4.5 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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