In summary
In our tests, the A2 did somewhat better than the A1. We recorded an average combined shutter and focus lag of 0.9 seconds, which reduced to 0.45 seconds with pre-focusing. However focusing was occasionally inaccurate and shot-to-shot times remained at 0.5 seconds in the standard continuous shooting mode and 0.4 seconds in the high-speed mode. Start-up and shut-down times were almost instantaneous, and shot-to-shot times in single frame mode were under one second. Noise reduction processing for shots taken in low light took almost a minute but while shots taken at ISO settings of 100 and 200 were clean and noise-free, noise could be detected in 30-second exposures at ISO 400, and was very obvious in ISO 800 shots. . . [more]
Full review
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2
Based on the DiMAGE A1, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 has a similar build and handling characteristics, with the controls in the same places. The 8-megapixel CCD is the same Sony sensor as used in the other 8-megapixel DSCs on the current market and the DiMAGE A2 sports the A1’s innovative CCD-shift Anti-Shake image stabilisation system. The EVF is easy to use and the camera is quick to start up, with fast shot-to-shot times.
In our tests, the A2 did somewhat better than the A1. We recorded an average combined shutter and focus lag of 0.9 seconds, which reduced to 0.45 seconds with pre-focusing. However focusing was occasionally inaccurate and shot-to-shot times remained at 0.5 seconds in the standard continuous shooting mode and 0.4 seconds in the high-speed mode. Start-up and shut-down times were almost instantaneous, and shot-to-shot times in single frame mode were under one second. Noise reduction processing for shots taken in low light took almost a minute but while shots taken at ISO settings of 100 and 200 were clean and noise-free, noise could be detected in 30-second exposures at ISO 400, and was very obvious in ISO 800 shots.
Strengths
- Effective image stabilisation
- Two Adobe RGB plus two sRGB colour spaces
- Fast autofocus
- Long zoom lens
- Five user memories plus programmable Custom button
- USB 2.0 connectivity
Weaknesses
- No AF assist lamp
- Slow write-to-card times
- LCD tilts but doesn’t swivel out [BG05]
Specifications
Image sensor: 8.8 x 6.6mm progressive primary colour CCD with 8,300,000 photosites (8.0 megapixels effective)
Lens: 7.2-50.8mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens (equivalent to 28-200mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 7x optical, up to 2x
Lens multiplier factor: 3.88x
Dimensions (wxhxd): 117 x 85 x 113.5mm
Weight: 565g (without battery and card)
RRP: $1899
Distributor: Konica Minolta Australia; (03) 9839 4999; www.konicaminolta.com.au
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