Product Description

The DiMAGE A1 is the next generation SLR-type digital camera from Minolta. Taking the best from the DiMAGE 7 series, the DiMAGE A1 was redesigned for today's digital photographer. This is a camera for those who demand the highest imaging quality and versatility in a compact, easy-to-use package. The DiMAGE A1 exploits the power of digital imaging by providing the tools to express your creativity and solve visual problems. And above all, the DiMAGE A1 is a joy to use.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49633 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Minolta
• Model: 2782-301
• Dimensions: 3.35" h x 4.61" w x 4.47" l, 1.24 pounds
• Memory: 16MB
• Display size: 1.8

Features

• World's fastest AF speed among 5-megapixel SLR-type digital cameras (August 2003)
• 5-megapixel sensor creates 2560 x 1950 images for prints at 13 by 17 inches and beyond
• 7x optical zoom lens; digital manual focus (DMF) for fine tuning the shot
• Anti-shake feature for sharper images; compatible with CompactFlash memory cards
• Powered by NP-400 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack or 6 AA batteries; connects with Macs and PCs via USB 1.1

Amazon.com Product Description
Fusing high-quality digital imaging technology with versatile tools that help express your creativity and solve visual problems, the SLR-type Minolta Dimage A1 is built for the demanding digital photographer. It features a 5-megapixel resolution, 7x optical zoom lens, an anti-shake function, ultra-quick shutter speed, and many more professional features. It also has the world's fastest autofocus speed among SLR-type digital cameras with a non-interchangeable lens (as of July, 2003).

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage A1 is built around a high-precision electro-optical system designed to maximize image quality, featuring a 5.3 megapixel primary-color CCD with 5.0 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images. It captures up to 2592 x 1944 pixel images for up to 13 x 17-inch enlargements (at 150 dpi). It also offers 1600 x 1200 (2 MP), 1280 x 960 (1 MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution modes.

The Dimage A1 features new image-quality and image-size settings. The extra-fine image-quality option joins the fine and standard settings to produce a high-quality JPEG file with little compression or loss of detail. The new 2080 x 1560 image size gives the photographer the ability to switch between 5 MP, 3 MP, and 2 MP images smoothly to match the final use of the image with the optimum resolution to maximize storage space on the memory card. A 640 x 480 (VGA) image size is also available for web images.

The f/2.8–3.5, 7x optical zoom is an apochromatic (APO) lens employing anomalous dispersion (AD) glass to minimize chromatic aberration at all focal lengths and produce sharp, high-contrast images. With a focal range of 7.2–50.8mm, it is equivalent to a 28–200mm zoom lens in the 35mm format. This lens encompasses the most used focal lengths in photography today, ranging from wide angle for landscapes and interiors to telephoto for portraits and details of distant landmarks. The 2x digital zoom gives the Dimage A1 a zoom ratio of up to 14x, equivalent to a 400mm lens on a 35mm camera.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking digital still images, the Dimage A1 also captures video with sound in multiple formats:

• Standard QVGA (320 x 240) color movies and monochrome night movies up to 15 minutes with audio
• The night-movie mode can make recordings under extreme low-light conditions
• The interval function can produce a series of still images taken at regular intervals or it can combine the images into a 640 x 480 time-lapse movie (which can be played back at 4 frames per second)

More Features
The new anti-shake function minimizes the blurring effect of handheld camera shake to provide the sharpest images possible. This system is especially valuable when shooting at long focal lengths or in low-light conditions without a tripod, enabling the camera to be handheld with shutter speeds eight times longer than usual.

The Dimage A1 is the first digital camera to employ CxProcess II, Minolta's new image-processing technology, which controls the image qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise. Brilliant, saturated color remains vibrant without becoming unnatural or flat, while subtle contrast is rendered to retain the richness and depth of the subject and preserve details in the highlights and shadows.

The Dimage A1 has a top shutter speed of 1/16,000 second, a major advantage in sports photography. The continuous-advance modes make it possible to capture the action as it unfolds. Three JPEG or five 5-megapixel RAW images can be captured at a rate of 2 frames per second.

The 1.8-inch low-temperature, high-contrast color LCD monitor can be tilted from –20 to +90 degrees. It has an extended color gamut, contrast, and dynamic range, plus a wide-viewing angle so that the camera does not need to be held perpendicularly to clearly view the live image. The redesigned Digital Hyper Viewfinder gives the Dimage A1 the same feel as a 35mm SLR. It can be tilted between 0 and 90 degrees for comfortable shooting at low angles or in confined spaces. Because the viewfinder LCD is shielded, it provides clear images even when working under bright light.

Other features include:

• Direct Manual Focus (DMF), which is found in professional-level 35mm film cameras like the Minolta Maxxum 7, enables manual fine-tuning of the focus after the AF system has locked onto the subject
• With continuous autofocusing, the Dimage A1 uses the new 3-D Predictive Focus Control to track the subject right up to the moment the exposure is made, ensuring optimum focus
• The real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured
• Data imprinting allows the date or time to be printed on the image as well as text and serial numbers

Storage and Transfer
The Dimage A1 is compatible with both Type I and II CompactFlash cards, which means that you can also use MicroDrives. A 16 MB CompactFlash card is included; it will store approximately 10 images at 2592 x 1944 at standard resolution. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-400). It measures 4.6 by 3.3 by 4.5 inches and weighs 19.8 ounces excluding the batteries or 22.5 ounces when loaded with the battery.

What's In The Box
Dedicated Lithium-ion Battery NP100, Lithium-ion Battery Charger BC-400, Neck Strap NS-DG4000, Lens Cap (49mm) LF-1249, Lens Shade for DiMAGE A1 DLS-A1,Accessory Shoe Cap SC-10, Ferrite Core FRC-100, AV Cable AVC-400,USB Cable USB-500,DiMAGE Software CD-ROM (Includes DiMAGE Viewer), CF (CompactFlash) Card (16MB)

From the Manufacturer
Building upon the success of Minolta Corporation's highly acclaimed Dimage 7 series of digital cameras, Minolta introduces the new 5 megapixel SLR-type Dimage A1 digital camera. The Dimage A1 was designed with today's creative digital photographer in mind.

Featuring the world's fastest AF speed among 5-megapixel SLR-type digital cameras*, a fast built-in f/2.8-3.5 7x optical zoom lens, a top shutter speed of 1/16,000 of a second, dual-focal macro system, extra-fine image-quality option, Minolta's new CxProcess II and 3-D Predictive Focus Control, Subject Tracking AF, Anti-shake function, and compatibility with portable and studio flash systems, the Minolta Dimage A1 exploits the power of digital imaging by providing the tools photographers need to express their creativity and solve visual problems. In addition, Minolta has also introduced new remote imaging software for use with the Dimage A1, the new Dimage Capture software, for enhanced creative capabilities.

The new Dimage A1 is built around a high-precision electro-optical system designed to maximize image quality. The system starts with a 5.3 megapixel 2/3-type progressive primary-color CCD with 5.0 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images. The Dimage A1 uses 14-bit A/D conversion to record the richness and infinite subtleties of light.

The Minolta Dimage A1's fast f2.8-f3.5 7x optical zoom lens is an advanced apochromatic (APO) lens employing anomalous dispersion (AD) glass to minimize chromatic aberration at all focal lengths and produce sharp, contrasty images. With a focal range of 7.2mm to 50.8mm, it is equivalent to a 28mm to 200mm 35mm zoom lens. The Dimage A1 zoom has a dual-focal macro system that allows the lens to be set at the wide-angle or telephoto position to take advantage of different focal lengths.

For photographers who demand high-quality images, new image-quality and image-size settings have been added to the Minolta Dimage A1. The extra-fine image-quality option produces a high-quality JPEG file with little compression or loss of detail. And the new 2080 x 1560 image size gives photographers the ability to switch between 5 megapixel, 3 megapixel, and 2 megapixel images smoothly.

Featuring continuous AF, the Minolta Dimage A1 uses Minolta's new 3-D Predictive Focus Control to track the subject from when the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down until the exposure is made ensuring optimum focus. Subject Tracking AF uses the 3-D Predictive Focus Control system to lock on to and track a subject as it moves through the frame. And, Minolta's Flex Focus Point adds unlimited versatility to the Dimage A1's AF system. Flex Focus Point is a single crosshair sensor that can be placed anywhere within the field of view. With the camera on a tripod, photographers simply use the four-way key of the controller to position the Flex Focus Point on the subject; the AF system will use that point for each exposure.

The Dimage A1 incorporates Direct Manual Focus (DMF). After the AF system has focused and locked on the subject, the focus can be fine-tuned manually. The camera's new Flex Digital Magnifier (FDM) can enlarge a section of the live image by two or eight times so sharpness can be judged in manual focus or when using DMF.

This is Minolta's first digital camera to employ CxProcess II, Minolta's new image-processing technology. CxProcess II controls the essential image qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise.

The camera's new Anti-shake function minimizes the effect of camera shake, a slight blurring of the image when the camera is handheld, to provide the sharpest image possible. The continuous-advance drive modes make it possible to record action as it unfolds. Three JPEG or five 5-megapixel RAW images can be captured at a rate of 2 frames per second. And, at the heart of the Dimage A1 is a new high-speed image-processing LSI for increased performance. Power consumption has also been greatly reduced.

Customer Reviews

Well built
I researched for a digital camera for two months before I finally ordered the Minolta. I previously owned a 3mp Olympus but I wanted a good zoom lens and at least a 5MP Sensor.

I have had this camera for a month and my pictures are getting better with each use. The build quality of this camera is superb. There is nothing else out there for this price that is built like it. I looked at the Fuji Finepix 7000 but decided even though the resolution was higher, after holding one in my hand it wasn't the camera for me. The Fuji was very light and made of plastic. The Minolta is made of metal and fits the hand well.

I do want to tell anyone considering this camera that it can be VERY confusing to a beginner. It can be used just fine in "auto" mode as a point and shoot, but to get the most out of it you have to experiment a bit with all the other settings. Luckily I have a friend that is a professional photographer to help me with questions.

The main reason I bought this camera is because of it's Anti-Shake function. The sensor makes adjustments for a shaky hand, and that would be MY hands, not the steadiest of all. This is the only pro-sumer camera offering this technology at this time and I felt it was definately a "must have" feature. My 66 year old mother took a very good picture of me with it right out of the box. One of my 10 year old students took some pretty impressive pictures also.

PROS- Anti-Shake Function; Magnesium Body; Great Zoom lens; Good feel in the hand

CONS- A bit high priced...but falling; 5MP sensor

I have already decided that I will buy the upgrade of the A1 as soon as it is released.

I'ts like carrying an electronic tripod.
I was looking for another digital camera to supplement my pocket digital (Optio 330rs). The Optio has served me well and will always take with me because of its portability. I wanted a camera with more functionality and overall quality and was willing to sacrifice some portability.

I've narrowed down my choices to these: Nikon 5700, Panasonic Z10 and Minolta A1. After much research and going to retailers to "test drive" the cameras, I finally settled on the Minolta. Actually, I did purchase the Nikon first but returned it to Amazon un-opened because of my concern with it's slow autofocus and low light performance. The Z10 was a strong contender, it has a great lens plus optical stabilization but it was too bulky and had a smaller sensor. Big camera, big lens with a tiny sensor hmmm, somehow I did not feel comfortable with this combination.

The Minolta A1 has a decent lens, good size stabilized sensor. It didn't have the long range zoom of the Panasonic but instead it had a wider angle which I find much more useful.

What I like most about this camera is it's image stabilizing feature which was just a afterthought when I bought it. It soon proved to be invaluable. For example, on a trip to Lake George NY I was photographing a canon(not the camera) firing demonstration, the bang was so loud that I jumped and triggered the shutter involuntarily. Yet the end result was a sharp photo at peak action See http://www.pbase.com/image/31903396 ,notice the ear protection worn by the soldier.

Another shot that was helped by the image stabilizer was a portrait taken at a museum, indoor, no flash and very tight, almost macro. Amazingly even the brushstrokes appeared sharp on the photo. I think the shutterspeed went down to 1/20th.

Having this camera is like carrying around an electronic tripod! I've taken hand held shots of fireworks, street lights, buildings at dusk and full zooms in low lighting.

As far as the megapixel count, 5MP is plenty. Although the 8mp Minolta A2 is out, it's almost $1,000. The A1 is a real bargain at around $550, It is basically the same camera as the A2 except for the MP count. Besides who needs 8MP unless you crop heavily or print posters. I even turn it down to 3MP sometimes to fit more shots and a quicker shot to shot performance, still 3MP is big enough to print 8x10's.

A few minor issues:
One thing the camera can improve on is it's dimensions, I would like it to be a little bit smaller, maybe like the Nikon 5700, and the proportions are a little awkward, it's almost as wide as it is deep and tall. Somehow this makes it a little tedious to carry around, I've permanently removed the lens hood to make it easier to carry (But the camera won't look as Cool!). So this not a carry everywhere camera, but it complement nicely with my pocket camera.

Another issue I have with this camera is that the viewfinder is electronic, basically it's a tiny second LCD that replaces the traditional glass viewfinder. Using electronic viewfinder is not very satisfying, you get a pixelated image with awful colors and when panning it feels like the LCD can't catch up to what your eyes are trying to follow.

Lastly, many people may find it dissappointing when they first see the photos right off the camera. The default settings for this camera is very neutral, therefore the images may look very flat. This is because as a high-end camera, minolta wanted to leave room for post-processing for advanced users. For photographers who do not want to do any post-processing the camera must be set at a higher contrast, saturation and sharpening.

Pros:
Larger sensor than similar cameras
Great lens
Wideangle zoom
Image stabilizer
Fast autofocus

cons:
Slightly too big to carry anywhere, anytime.
Flimsy CF door
Electronic view finder hard to get used to.

Simply Fantastic!
It's a real photographer's camera; not point-and-shoot (although it works fine like that!). Lots of knobs on it, but that makes it very quick to use in the field (once you get used to it). Other cameras have fewer buttons and so you have to scroll through menus - very slow and frustrating! It's smaller than an SLR, but it's not a compact camera by any means. Very light for its size (540g), and well made (metal body - not plastic). It provides complete manual control of all parameters; very straightforward and well-designed. It's a joy to use. The first camera I've really felt at home with. One of the best things about it (apart from anti-shake) is the fact that you see the final picture in the amazingly bright and detailed viewfinder. It's really easy to fiddle with exposure to get the right balance of tones; you just look through the viewfinder and alter aperture or shutter speed until you get what you want. Amazing for sunsets; no guessing - just tweak until you see the photo you want in the viewfinder. Idiot proof really.