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 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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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