|
New Flagship Digicam Shakes Up the Competition
Photographers who are familiar with Minolta's popular DiMAGE 7-Series digicams will note more than a passing resemblance between the new flagship DiMAGE A1 model and the earlier DiMAGE 7, 7i and 7Hi cameras. The new top-of-the-line A1 features the same form factor, a similar control layout and the highly acclaimed 28–200mm zoom lens of the earlier models.
So why the switch from the 7-Series nomenclature? According to the folks at Minolta, the list of improvements offered by the latest model is so significant that they consider the A1 the first model in a new lineage, rather than a fourth camera in the evolutionary 7-Series. We concur. And if you consider that the original DiMAGE 7—introduced in early 2001 as the industry's first 5-megapixel digicam—cost $1500, the vastly improved A1 is a relative bargain at $999.
New Anti-Shake System
Topping the list of enhancements is the A1's revolutionary Anti-Shake system which enables you to capture sharp, hand-held images in situations that would typically require the use of a tripod. This technology not only enables you to get great results without a camera support under low-light conditions, but permits you to stop down the lens for maximum depth of field; even when shooting at the 200mm telephoto lens setting.
Unlike other systems designed to minimize the effects of camera shake, Minolta's new proprietary system utilizes tiny actuators to instantaneously shift the CCD sensor whenever vibration is detected. To activate the system you simply press a button on the back of the camera, which glows brightly to confirm that the function is on. Of course, the best confirmation that the Anti-Shake system is working is the rock-steady live image you'll see in the camera display as you compose your shot.
We found that we could safely shoot at three shutter speeds slower than we would ordinarily use for hand-held photography, and still achieve very sharp results. That means shooting at 1/25 with the lens zoomed out to the 200mm telephoto position! While Minolta says the Anti-Shake system is most effective when at telephoto focal lengths, we noticed a substantial improvement in our results, even when using a wider setting, shooting at short subject distances, and even in the macro mode.
Built For Speed
The new A1 utilizes a number of other technologies that result in markedly enhanced speed of operation. Minolta claims that the camera features the fastest AF speed among 5-megapixel SLR-type cameras in its class. While we can't verify that claim, the camera's response time is very fast indeed. This rapid focusing capability, coupled with the A1's top shutter speed of 1/16,000, make it a great choice for sports photography. Other focus enhancements include a new 3-D Predictive Focus Control designed to lock on to and track a subject as it moves through the frame. The camera also incorporates Direct Manual Focus, which enables you to fine-tune focus manually after the AF system has done its thing.
The 1/16,000 top shutter speed is not only ideal for action shooting, but for controlling depth of field under bright lighting conditions, because it enables you to utilize the camera's entire range of apertures. In low-light situations, the A1 offers shutter speeds as slow as 30 seconds, as well as 30-second bulb exposures.
New Image Processing Technology
The A1 delivers markedly improved performance as compared to Minolta's earlier 5-megapixel DiMAGE models due, in part, to it's newly developed progressive scan CCD sensor and the new CXProcess II image processing technology. The latter utilizes 14-bit A/D conversion and improved dynamic range to optimize color, contrast and sharpness while minimizing noise. Noise can be further reduced with exposures of one second or longer by using the noise-reduction menu option.
The camera's aperture range has been extended to f/11 (minimum aperture was f/8 in the earlier models), and is now graduated in 1/3-EV increments.
Power management and camera balance have been improved in the A1 by replacing the four AA batteries that were centered under the lens in earlier models, with a single NP-400 1500mAh rechargeable lithium-ion pack which is now housed inside the camera's handgrip. As a result, the camera seems lighter and easier to control. An optional battery pack is also available—using either two of the lithium-ion batteries or six AA cells—and is mounted on the bottom of the camera with the tripod socket. The pack incorporates an extended handgrip and a shutter release button to facilitate shooting vertical images.
Better Viewing
Minolta has improved image viewing in this model in two ways. First, the 1.8-inch high-contrast LCD monitor can now be tilted from –20° to + 90° which we found very helpful when shooting from odd angles. The monitor features an extended color gamut, contrast and dynamic range, as well as a wide viewing angle so that the camera need not be held perpendicularly to view the live image clearly.
Minolta also redesigned the camera's electronic viewfinder, which now features a 235,000-pixel TFT monitor for much greater precision than in earlier models. This electronic viewfinder is a much better choice than the color LCD when shooting outdoors under bright lighting conditions, and it can be tilted from 0° to 90°.
Same Great Lens
One thing Minolta didn't change with this new model is the 7.2–50.8mm (28–200mm 35mm equivalent) lens that was also used on the DiMAGE 7, DiMAGE 7i and DiMAGE 7Hi cameras. And that's a good thing because this is a terrific apochromatic lens that utilizes 16 elements and 13 groups (including two AD and two aspheric elements) to deliver outstanding contrast, resolution and color rendition throughout its 7X range.
The lens enables you to take macro shots (with a reproduction ratio equivalent to 1:1.43 in the 35mm format) at either end of the focal range. In the 200mm telephoto position, the close focusing distance is a comfortable 5.1 inches. When shooting at the wide end of the focal range, the minimum focusing distance is 8.3 inches.
Advanced Exposure Options
The DiMAGE A1 offers the serious photographer a wide array of exposure options, with a choice of Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Programmed AE and manual modes. We found that the 300-segment metering system produced consistent results under a wide variety of shooting conditions. This mode integrates autofocus, color and luminance in calculating exposure values, and is really hard to fool. For those photographers who want more individual control, the camera also offers Center-Weighted and Spot metering options.
For less-experienced photographers who prefer that the camera does more of the thinking, the DiMAGE A1 features four Digital Subject Program modes designed to automatically optimize exposure and image-processing controls for specific shooting conditions and subjects. The Portrait Mode, for example, is optimized to produce warm skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background, while the Sports/Action mode delivers sharp results of fast-moving subjects. There are also Night Portrait and Sunset modes from which to choose.
The Bottom Line
While we liked Minolta's earlier DiMAGE 7-Series cameras a lot, the new A1 is really a significantly improved model. And with its great lens, broad array of capabilities, and new Anti-Shake technology we think it's a real winner; especially for a street price of $999. For more information, contact Konica Minolta Photo Imaging USA, Inc., 725 Darlington Ave., Mahwah, NJ 07430. You can also check out the DiMAGE A1 online at www.konicaminolta.us.
Camera: Minolta DiMAGE A1
Category: 5-megapixel Digicam
AF Performance *****
Metering Performance *****
Feature Set *****
Ease of Use ****
Ergonomics *****
Value ****
| 
