This is an excellent camera
Written: Apr 17 '04 (Updated May 04 '04)
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Pros: Superb results, anti-shake excellent. Camera easy to hold in the shooting position.
Cons: Be wary of the default auto focus. Use FFP or continuous AF options.
The Bottom Line: An exceptional camera. Bottom line, the results are superb.
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| dr_roger's Full Review: Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Digital Camera |
I have recently purchased the Minolta DiMage A2 digital camera here in the United Kingdom.
I have a compact FujiFilm Fine Pix as a snapshot digital camera and the results are okay, but nothing had prepared me for the sheer quality of the Minolta A2. It produces results easily comparable with my Contax 35mm SLR camera with Zeiss lenses given normal viewing situations (ignore the lab and bench tests, it is how it performs in the field that counts). I use the Canon i990 printer and I cannot tell the difference between the Canon and a 35mm film lab print.
Ignore the advice about shooting in RAW or Tiff formats, use the Extra Fine JPEG mode and Adobe embedded RSB mode. The results are truly excellent, pin sharp, grain free on AUTO ISO and beautiful colour.
I am a Zoologist who works for a University and my specialist area is deer. I have been out shooting deer (with the camera, hate guns) in the Scottish Highlands with the A2 and the first thing I would say is you need to get used to the auto focusing. For animals I use either the Flex Focus Point (FFP) or Continuous AF (if you use Continuous AF and focus on the eye/s any small movement in the camera or subject the focus point moves to compensate). The default auto focus setting uses too large an area for its focus points (okay for static groups of people, not for pin sharp focus on the person's/animal's eyes when using mid to full telephoto). When I first got the camera I used default AF on a landscape and the AF focused on nearby tree branches well left of screen!
The anti-shake works well in telephoto conditions and low light. I have a neurological problem and the pictures are rock steady with anti-shake on telephoto.
I use the EVF all the time,like an SLR and once you are used to it, it is just like using an SLR (though the EVF does have some problems in very bright light)but do not expect the kind of definition in the viewfinder that an SLR will give you. To get accurate focus on non static subjects with FFP or Continuous AF using the EVF is a must.
Like all new camera it takes a bit of patience and practice to get excellent results. It is not a 'straight out of the box' point and shoot camera. Get very familiar with the camera's operations, with the much needed help of the instruction book, and do a lot of test shots to arrive at settings that suit the individual.
This is a truly exceptional digital camera.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 936.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Epinions.com ID:
dr_roger
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Location: Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Dr Roger Lambert.
I am a zoologist with the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
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