Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Camera with Anti-Shake 7x Optical Zoom

by Konica-Minolta

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.1 x 4.5 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000683VIY
• Item model number: Dimage A200
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,320 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 20, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description A close cousin of the Dimage A2, Konica Minolta's SLR-style Dimage A200 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.

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage A200 has an 8.0-megapixel, 2/3-inch interlace scan CCD that can subtle, expressive images--even individual hairs or the stitches of a suit in sharp detail. It has the following resolution options: 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176 (3:2 aspect ratio), 2560 x 1920, 2080 x 1560, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480. The 7x optical zoom GT lens is designed specifically for digital photography with sharper, clearer images minus any color aberration, even when using the large aperture setting. It has a 28-200mm equivalency in 35mm photography and a focal range of f2.8 to f3.5. It also has two digital zoom options: a normal 2x and an interpolated 4x.

With its proprietary new advanced LSI engine and CxProcess III image-processing technology, the DiMAGE A200 provides high-speed and stress-free image processing with low power consumption. And, its ability to suppress noise and provide exceptionally accurate color reproduction means that users get high-quality images every time.

The Dimage A200 features a CCD-shift mechanism, outlined above in green, to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand. Below, a photo with Anti-Shake off (right) and the same subject with Anti-Shake on (left).

Movie Mode
The Dimage A200 offers a true VGA (640 x 480 pixels) movie mode, enabling you to record video at TV-quality 30 frames per second (fps). You also have the option to shoot at a larger resolution (800 x 600, SVGA) at 15 fps, good for viewing on a PC screen. Unlike many digital cameras, the Dimage A200 allows use of both the optical and digital zoom while recording movies, and the Night Movie function makes subjects highly visible even in dark settings. You can shoot a maximum of 15 minutes of video with audio.

Anti-Shake Technology
The Anti-Shake feature provides a highly effective way to deal with camera shake--a major cause of substandard images, especially with telephoto shots and when shooting in dim lighting. The Dimage A200 features a CCD-shift mechanism to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand, providing stability at up to three shutter speeds slower than on digital cameras without an Anti-Shake function.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash cards (Type I/II), and it supports Microdrives. The Dimage A2 does not come with a memory card. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 2.0 connectivity.

Direct Printing
By directly connecting the Dimage A200 to a PictBridge-compliant printer, you can easily create prints without going through a computer--just choose your image directly from the LCD monitor.

More Features
The camera's 1.8-inch TFT Vari-angle LCD monitor rotates 270 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally, allowing you to get a clear viewpoint for shooting artistic angles or taking flawless self-portraits.

Other features include:

• In addition to JPEG images, the Dimage A200 can also save captured images to RAW (12 bits per pixel), RAW+JPEG, and TIFF formats.
• The Ultra High Speed mode captures images at a continuous advance of 40 frames at 10 frames per second.
• Automatic or manual popup flash has a five-second refresh and fill, red-eye reduction, slow sync, and rear flash sync modes.
• Sure-grip, ergonomic body makes it easy to carry and use anywhere.

Power and Size
The Dimage A200 is powered by a proprietary rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (NP-800), which provides power for approximately 260 images or 330 minutes of continuous playing time. It measures 4.49 x 3.15 x 4.53 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 17.8 ounces without battery or media.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Minolta Dimage A200 digital camera, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (NP-800) and battery charger (BC-900), USB and AV cables, lens cap, accessory shoe cap, lens shade, wireless remote control, and CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer and ULEAD Video Studio 8 SE software.

Product Description

Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Camera with Anti-Shake 7x Optical Zoom

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

161 of 161 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dimage A200 Camera, December 22, 2004

By 

Jeffry C. Zelt "jzorro" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Camera with Anti-Shake 7x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have had a Nikon Coolpix 4300 for about two and a half years and in that time have taken over 2500 pictures. One thing I definately wanted was a camera with a longer zoom. I travel by bicycle and like to carry my camera everywhere (that is why so many pictures!) so I did not want to go to the size and expense of a digital SLR. As I seached for cameras with longer zooms, there were two I liked the range of- both the Canon Pro1 and the Dimage A200 which was not released yet. The 28- 200mm (35mm equivelent) zoom gives me a great range from wide angle to telephoto. A very useful range making many different pictures possible. I also was attracted by the anti-shake feature. A camera with a long zoom (some go to 300mm on digital prosumer cameras) is not useful if you cannot hold it steady enough to get a clear picture. Despite the length of the zoom, the camera is surprisingly compact at about 4 1/2" by 4 1/2" and easily fits into my fanny pack which is exactly what I wanted.
Another great feature is the adjustable LCD monitor which is sharper than the one on my Nikon. This allows you to aim over your head or at a low angle and still see what you are shooting at. You can fold it in facing the camera body to protect it and also to shoot using the EVF viewfinder which means you are using less battery power. It will turn completely forward so you can do a self portrait using the remote control to trip the shutter. The remote can also be useful for long exposures on a tripod like night shots. For night shots, it even has noise cancelation where it will take a second picture with the shutter closed to record any "hot spots" from pixels and subtract them from the final picture so it is clearer and doesn't have white dots on it. I tried this and it takes great night shots- the best I have gotten with any camera I have owned. I used a tripod of course. This slows the time between pictures a little, but if you are taking this type of picture you are used to waiting.
The time between shots it pretty quick. Faster than my Nikon certainly. It has manual or auto focus (I used manual with it at infinity for my night shots since this like many auto focus cameras can have trouble focusing in low light situations). The macro can be used at either the wide angle or telephoto ends of the zoom. I have not really tried that yet. Nor have I tried the movie format which is said to be very good. There are two resolutions you can use for that. That is not what I bought this camera for anyways.
I thought my little Nikon 4mp camera took nice pictures,but the Dimage A200 blows that away. It is simple enough for a novice to use it on "Auto" but has enough features to please most professionals too. I have mostly used "Auto" so far and as I become more familiar with the camera, I will be able to take advantage of more of its features. I already have taken pictures with it that when I look at them I am amazed that I took them. They are very sharp- from the wide angle through telephoto. This camera fit my needs and then some- with the options available as I become more experienced with them. If you are serious about photography and yet want to keep it simple, this is a great camera! I don't need or want to carry all that other gear.
Notice I have not talked about the eight megapixels? That is because it was not a consideration for my purchase and enjoyment fo this camera. Four is a lot for most uses especially since most users will not be making prints larger than 8x 10. But this camera gives you that possiblity. I guess that sums up this camera the best- all the possibilities it gives you. All in one small package. I love this camera! Yes, the photo is what the eye sees, but this will definately help you to capture what you see. I very highly recommend it!

125 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Camera for Photographers, January 21, 2005

By 

Mr. Robert Thomson (Glasgow, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Camera with Anti-Shake 7x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Let me be honest. I don't like digital cameras! I have a Canon F1 for 25 years that I have used to take pictures in Canada when it was -35c. When I want better quality, I have a Fuji 645zi. It will be many years before digital catches up.

However, I have realised for a while that I am missing many shots in my day to day life because I don't think they are worthy of committing to film. So at the end of 2004 I started reading the magazines to look for a digital camera. And what a lot of nonsense I had to read!

ANYHOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY HARD WORK - JUST BUY THIS CAMERA!!

What is great about it is it works on auto straight out the box and its sharp 28-200 image stabalised lens gives great results on default settings. After a few hours, I changed the default colour setting to Vivid and moved over to shutter priority and got even better results.

But this camera has over-rides for everything, including the ability to power the flash down to 1/8th power and use it to fire slave studio flash.

It has 8mp and can shoot in RAW, RAW+JPeg or JPEG. it uses compact flash cards and I have been using a Lexar 1GB card with fast processing between shots.

It also comes with a neat remote control unit, which allows self portraits etc.

This is a go-everywhere camera. Very light and compact. Will become my camera for business trips. And with 8mp, if I take a shot I want to enlarge beyond 8x10, it can be easily done.

Check this beauty out-you won't be disappointed

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great prosumer camera, June 18, 2005

By 

S. Peterson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Camera with Anti-Shake 7x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I was really undecided on whether or not to get this. I have a HP Photosmart 945 which is a decent but not great camera, and had recently gotten a DXG flash "camcorder" for shooting home movies and whatever. Some of my indecision was all the higher end cameras like this one use compact flash memory and proprietary batteries, while the "consumer" models get by on SD cards and AA's, rechargeable or otherwise. SD cards are darn cheap, and AA's are everywhere.

However, I really felt the limitations of the 945, the worst for me being very slow writing to the memory no matter how fast a card I used. It eventually came down to this or a Rebel XT. From the sample pictures I've seen the Rebel is a better camera, but it's much more expensive and to really take advantage of it you need to buy extra lenses. Plus, I had to admit to myself I'm not a professional photographer.

The selling points to me on the A200 were the anti-shake mechanism and an advertised movie mode of 30fps. I was a little skeptical of the movie mode, as the 945's "movie" was something like 233X200 at about 15-20 fps and poor quality, and I didn't expect much better.

So I ordered one and UPS delivered it a few days later. At first feel I thought I'd made a mistake, the A200 is plastic and feels like it. It's real little, much smaller than I expected. The manual zoom is just a sliding cylinder...I thought I'd bought a very expensive plastic toy. That is until I took the lens cap off, and thought, "That's a nice piece of glass."

To shorten my next few days the A200 is capable of great shots, but you can still take lousy ones if you're not careful. The focus and detail in the pictures are fantastic, as well as the color. But it does take time to learn to adjust the settings. While it does have an auto setting it's not a generic point and click, and you're wasting your money if that's how you take pictures. While the manual zoom felt cheap at first, now I positively love it over the push-a-button zoom most cameras have.

I was initially disappointed with the anti-shake, and wondered if it was even working. It will enable better quality pictures in dim light down to about three shutter speed settings below what you could otherwise. Setting my shutter speed on manual I got down to about 1/15 of a second. Telephoto shots in daylight is where it really shines, just remember to use the spot focus in the center of the image (normally it's predictive) and they'll come out sharp.

The movie mode, however, blew me away. I got the little DXG mostly because I could take movie clips of any length, and was willing to live with mediocre quality at 320X240. It has a very limited light range where it gets good results. The A200, however, is like going from grainy first generation videotape to HDTV, it's that much better. The movie length may "only" be about 10-15 minutes per clip, but unless you're putting your camera on a tripod and filiming an entire event, do you really need to take clips that long? The A200 lets you edit clips in-camera, and comes with movie editing software, plus for Mac users it saves to quicktime format. One caveat is to turn off the autofocus, otherwise the little typewriter noises will drive you nuts.

The only real weaknesses I've seen in this camera is the indoor white balance for natural light photos has to be manually set to tungsten, otherwise the pictures have a marked yellow cast. This to me is a minor problem as it takes two seconds to adjust it. What is very annoying to me is how small many of the buttons and controls are. In particular the main function ring, which has a control button in the center, makes it hard for me to press that button without activating something else instead. However, this seems to be the trend in cameras as they're all getting very-very small.

Overall for people wanting more than the average camera, 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.