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Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Konica Minolta trims a little and adds a little relative to their top-end A2 model, delivering a strong contender in the 8-megapixel derby. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet A200 Sample Images A200 Imatest Results --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Comparison with other DiMAGE cameras 3. Executive Overview 4. Design 5. Viewfinder 6. Optics 7. Exposure & Flash 8. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 9. Operation & User Interface 10. Camera Modes & Menus 11. Image Storage & Interface 12. Video, Power, Software 13. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on A200 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 4:Design Review First Posted: 12/22/2004

Design

The latest addition to the A series of the DiMAGE line, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 is a slightly smaller, pared-down version of the A2, though it does feature a few design improvements over the previous model. The slightly smaller body of the A200 houses an 8.0-megapixel CCD and the same 7x optical zoom lens, but in place of a swiveling electronic optical viewfinder, the A200 offers a non-movable EVF and a 270-degree vari-angle LCD monitor that lifts off of the back panel and flips forward before swiveling. Other updates include a higher movie resolution (800 x 600 pixels), an optional interpolated 4x digital zoom setting, and a new CX Process III image processor, among other slight differences.

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 is similar in design to a traditional 35mm SLR, with an elongated lens barrel that comprises most of the camera's mass, with a hand grip on the right. Control layout is a little different from the DiMAGE A2, but is logical and intuitive (once you get the hang of things). The DiMAGE A200's slightly bulky body measures 4.5 x 3.1 x 4.5 inches (114 x 80 x 115 millimeters) with the lens at its shortest position, but the plastic body panels make it relatively lightweight for its size (approximately 20.3 ounces, or 576 grams with an NP-800 battery and CompactFlash card loaded). Nonetheless, it's a handful. An accessory camera bag would certainly be the preferred method of carrying and storing the Konica Minolta A200, but the camera does come with a neck/shoulder strap.

The camera's front panel features the Konica Minolta GT 7x Zoom lens, Self-Timer light, remote control receiver, and the front of the pop-up flash compartment. Encircling the lens are two adjustment rings: a rubberized grip on the front end for actuating the zoom lens, and a ribbed Manual Focus ring at the base of the lens. A set of 49mm filter threads on the inside lip of the zoom lens accommodates filters and conversion kit accessories, but I'd caution readers to be careful how heavy a lens they attach there. Because the threads are on the lens barrel itself, the zoom mechanism must support any weight attached there. (At least the zoom lens is built around a manually-actuated mechanism, which strikes me as being a good bit more rugged than the electronically-actuated designs used on most digicams.) A pair of tabs on the outside edge of the lens serve as a mount for the included lens hood, which slides into the grooves and then turns 90 degrees clockwise to click into place. The Self-Timer light and remote control receiver are behind a red sensor window, just below the Konica Minolta emblem. Also visible from the front of the camera are the Shutter button and Front Control dial, located at the top of the hand grip. A small indentation and ridge combination near the top of the hand grip comfortably cradles your middle finger as it curls around the grip.

The right side of the camera holds the CompactFlash memory card slot, covered by a hinged plastic door. The Konica Minolta A200 accommodates Type I or II CF memory cards, including MicroDrives. At the very top of the right panel is one of the two neck strap attachment eyelets.

The left side of the camera features only a small number of controls (the previous A2 had a host of knobs and buttons here). The Auto/Manual Focus switch and Shift buttons are centered and just below center on the left side, with a Macro switch tucked on the side of the lens. A small speaker grille is located between the macro switch and AF/M button. The second neck strap attachment eyelet is at the top, almost at the front edge of the pop-up flash. A shared-use A/V Out / USB 2.0 jack and the DC-In port are safely protected by a flexible, rubbery flap just below the Shift button. Also visible on this side, at the edge of the electronic viewfinder eyepiece, is the diopter adjustment dial, which adjusts the viewfinder display to accommodate eyeglass wearers.

The Konica Minolta A200's top panel accommodates the pop-up flash compartment, with two small tabs on either side to hook a fingernail under to open the flash, and an external flash hot shoe on top, protected by a sliding plastic cover that can be completely removed from the camera body. The hot shoe employs a custom electrode setup and mounting bracket for Konica Minolta accessory flash units, and so isn't compatible with standard hot-shoe flashes. (Although Konica Minolta does sell a hard-to-find adapter that plugs into the hot shoe and provides a standard PC Sync connector.) In addition, there are a number of controls that access various camera functions, including the Exposure Mode Dial, Shutter button, Control dial, Mode dial, Power button, and Drive button. Also on top of the camera is a tiny microphone, nestled between the Exposure Mode and Mode dials.

The remaining controls are on the camera's rear panel, along with the electronic viewfinder eyepiece and LCD monitor. The DiMAGE A200's electronic viewfinder (EVF) features a lower resolution TFT LCD than the A2 (235,000 dots instead of 922,000), similar instead to the A1 model. Though the A2's EVF could tilted upward by as much as 90 degrees, the A200's is stationary. The A200 also lacks the A2's eyepiece sensors which automatically turned the EVF on or off, if the camera sensed that your eye was present or not. The 1.8-inch LCD monitor now swivels, and lifts off of the rear panel and flips out so that you can twist it a full 270 degrees. This means that you can turn the LCD monitor around to face the rear panel and then close it, thus protecting it from any dust or minor scratches, or turn it forward for easier self-portrait composition. A sensor on the LCD mechanism senses when the monitor is facing the rear panel, and automatically activates the EVF. Control buttons on the back panel include the Information, AE Lock, Anti-Shake, Display, Magnify/Zoom rocker, Function, Playback / Erase, and Menu buttons, in addition to the Four-way controller and OK button.

The camera's bottom panel is fairly flat, with a slightly textured grip pad surrounding the metal tripod mount. Also on the bottom panel is the camera's battery compartment, which features a locking, hinged door. Behind this door, the battery is held in place by a sliding lock to keep it from accidentally falling free. The battery compartment is just far enough from the tripod mount to allow quick battery changes while working with a tripod (assuming your tripod uses a small enough mounting plate), something I always look for in a digicam, given the amount of studio shooting I do.