Gadgets Guide and Review

Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Cameras

Konica Minolta’s SLR-style Dimage A200 digital cameras offers a smaller, more rounded body design and is lighter by 2.1 ounces. But it’s packed full of powerful features that will be appreciated by a wide range of photographers, from professional to advanced amateur. In addition to its 8-megapixel resolution and 7x optical zoom, the Dimage A200 features a movie mode with 800 x 600-pixel resolution, 1.8-inch flip-out LCD monitor, and Minolta’s anti-shake technology to keep things smooth.

Technical Details

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• Konica Minolta 7X optical zoom GT lens combines with a 2x digital zoom and 4x interpolated digital zoom
• Anti-shake feature for smooth photographic close-ups; flip-out, tilting 1.8-inch LCD
• Store images on type I or II Compact Flash memory cards or Microdrive; connects to PC via USB 2.0
• Powered by 1 NP-800 Lithium-ion battery

Pros:

• Good photo quality
• 7X optical zoom lens with image stabilization
• Full manual controls
• Good performance
• Flip-out, rotating LCD display
• Manual zoom and focus rings
• LCD/EVF usable in low light
• No redeye
• Can save five sets of camera settings to mode dial
• Supports external flash and conversion lenses/filters
• RAW image format supported
• Excellent movie mode

Cons:

• Images slightly soft at default settings; high ISO performance is not good; some barrel distortion
• Macro mode isn’t great for ultra close-ups
• I miss the nice EVF from the A2
• No memory card included
• Tough competition from digital SLRs

Overall, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 is a good digital camera at a great price. For people wanting more than the average cameras, but not wanting to go to all the expense of a DSLR, or wanting to combine a camera with a decent camcorder, this is a great buy.

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