Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed ...
Review: A lot of reviewers have already mentioned this camera's good points. Indeed this is a very well-built camera, with tons of nice features. However, several things bothered me:
1. The low-battery warning comes on about 2-3 minutes before the entire camera shuts down. This is simply not enough time, especially for a proprietary battery. My old camera, which took rechargeable AAs gave me a good half-hour warning, which was enough time to take a few last pictures, then go hunting for batteries. Fortunately, the Minolta's battery lasts quite a while, so it doesn't go dead often. But when it does, it's a real shock.
2. I had constant trouble with the autofocus. About 10-15% of my shots came out fuzzy for no apparent reason. These shots were taken in broad daylight, and there's no excuse for the autofocus not to work reliably. Of course, one can use the manual focus, but that's a pain.
3. Many of the automatic settings are poorly chosen. Although all of these can be overriden manually, better automatic settings would have made this camera more useful in the first few days I had it, before I learned my way around all the manual settings. The worst problem was the white balance; in bright sunlight, pictures came out bluish-green, a problem that was fixable by manually setting the white balance to "shade" (what were the design engineers thinking?) By default, the camera forgets picture numbering when the memory card is erased. This is easily fixed, but again, the default is the opposite of what most people want.
4. I would really like to see a better movie mode. Movies are 320x240, and compressed so much that picture quality is poor. A competing product, the Canon PowerShot S1 IS delivers 640x480 movies, and has similar features as the Minolta (e.g. 10x zoom with image stabilization). I didn't buy it because it had only 3.2 megapixels, but otherwise it was very tempting.
5. The pictures are noisier than average. This partly negates the benefits of having 5MP, because when you really zoom in to see details, the noise also becomes more noticeable.
The major features of this camera - the lens, CCD, and anti-shake - are very high quality, which makes the few shortcomings seem glaring by comparison. For the price, I would expect better performance.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not perfect
Review: A lot of reviewers have already mentioned this camera's good points. Although I generally agree that this is a well-built camera, with tons of nice features, I was also bothered by the following:1. The much-vaunted anti-shake feature is weak. Other cameras implement this feature much better than the DiMage A1. For example, the Canon PowerShot S1 IS and the Panasonic DMC-FZ10 both have very steady stabilization, whereas the DiMage stabilizer is only marginal. I thought this might be a defect in my unit, but when I went back to the store, other units had the same problem. This was really disappointing because the camera has good zoom capability, and takes fairly good low-light pictures. These are both cases when the anti-shake feature is most needed. 2. The low-battery warning comes on about 10 seconds before the entire camera shuts down. This is simply not enough warning. 3. The colors in bright sunlight are inaccurate. Outdoor shots are weirdly green when using the automatic white balance. I could fix this with the custom white balance options, but it was annoying to have to do this. 4. Pictures are somewhat grainier and noisier than average, even though detail is very good. 5. Overall, this camera is unusually complex. There are 5 dials, many of which do different things at different times. While this is often handy, it seems like things could have been streamlined a bit. The Dimage A1 is capable of very good pictures because of its superb lens and high resolution CCD. However, in practice, I've gotten a high percentage of shots that were slightly out of focus, or that needed color adjustments to look right. The image stabilizer is only slightly better than nothing at all, and, and the relatively high noise in the photos offsets the benefits of having 5 megapixels. The camera also has an additional odd quirk. If you select "auto" mode on the dial, the camera not only reverts to automatic settings for aperture, shutter, and ISO, it also causes photo numbering to restart at 1 if the memory card is cleared while in this mode. This doesn't make any sense to me. Overall, this camera has a very good lens and CCD, with disappointing image stabilization relative to other cameras in its class, and some annoying quirks in the camera software and image processing. A skilled and patient photographer can compensate for this with all the manual controls. However, given its relatively high price (I paid $500 for the A1, and the very similar 8MP Dimage A2 goes for $999) I am annoyed the many shortcomings. - Tom
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome
Review: Got this camera a month ago. Beats my friend's two-year-old Nikon 5700. Most impressive is the manual control. Very easy to use despite the number of knobs. I was able to get 80% of the functions without reading the manual (no experience with Minolta digicams before). Satisfied with the quality though people have been complaining about the noise in Minolta cams for a long time. Would definitely recommend to anybody who wants a decent camera but doesn't want to spend big $ on a DSLR.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: I bought this camera and read the manual and loved all the feathers It was awesome.I spent two days going over the book and taking shots and I remember when it first came on a warning came on and after that I would take pictures of the DVD player Two Towers movie and they were awesome and all the pictures I took were awesome but then it started rolling when I pointed it at my tv screen and the LED got bright and dim and for no reason and there was nothing about this in troubleshooting in the users manual and then the battery went dead and so I recharged it and went to bed and in the morning after only a few pictures taken the battery went very low again and only after 4 or 5 pictures and I was so sad because I am not a pro by any means but I own a 3.2 nikon and it did not do any weird stuff and I have had it for almost 2 years and I loved that camera upgrade and I could have bought the nikonD100 or the top of the line cannon SLR and have all the lenses it would ever need/flashes too. But I loved this camera and all the features making it my perfect upgrade.
I am not a pro by no means but I felt it must be defective when I charged it and went to bed and got up and took some more yet,only 4 or 5 and the battery was shot again????!! I would buy that camera again because I loved it so much and I never owned a minolta but I loved everything about it . I took pictures only inside and at night and in the day and they were fantastic. But the rolling on the tv shots and the light and dimming on the LCD and then last but not least a battery going dead after charging it only after 4 or5 shots made me conclude it was defective. This was also in auto mode and I checked my other digital nikon and it did not do any of these things and as sad as I was to return it,There was no answers in the manual for these problems. If anyone reads this and has some kind of answer please speak out to me because I loved that camera and have missed it ever since the return also I if it was defective and does not eat batteries I would most definatly purchase it again. I do not no the difference between camera shake and built in stabilation but I would take the chance on re-ordering that camera again Since the problems I listed were nowhere in the manual whih I spent two full days on what else could I do but I still love it and would love to have one without the problems I have stated above. Lastly, Does this camera eat battery power that fast?? I love that camera and I have read them all so please let me know if that is a real problem. AS for the rolling pictures of the Two TOwers DVD it only happened on the minolta and my nikon was fine. If there is any help out there I want to buy this one again. GREAT CAMERA. Last what are the silver metal things on the front side of this camera for> I forgot I hope some one reads tis because I am with the possitive reviews I think this camera and all features ROCK! I loved it and I as I said looked at all the camera's on site and this is the one. JosieRyder@aol.com
Rating:
Summary: I love this camera!!!! But........
Review: I bought this camera and read the manual and loved all the feathers It was awesome.I spent two days going over the book and taking shots and I remember when it first came on a warning came on and after that I would take pictures of the DVD player Two Towers movie and they were awesome and all the pictures I took were awesome but then it started rolling when I pointed it at my tv screen and the LED got bright and dim and for no reason and there was nothing about this in troubleshooting in the users manual and then the battery went dead and so I recharged it and went to bed and in the morning after only a few pictures taken the battery went very low again and only after 4 or 5 pictures and I was so sad because I am not a pro by any means but I own a 3.2 nikon and it did not do any weird stuff and I have had it for almost 2 years and I loved that camera upgrade and I could have bought the nikonD100 or the top of the line cannon SLR and have all the lenses it would ever need/flashes too. But I loved this camera and all the features making it my perfect upgrade.
I am not a pro by no means but I felt it must be defective when I charged it and went to bed and got up and took some more yet,only 4 or 5 and the battery was shot again????!! I would buy that camera again because I loved it so much and I never owned a minolta but I loved everything about it . I took pictures only inside and at night and in the day and they were fantastic. But the rolling on the tv shots and the light and dimming on the LCD and then last but not least a battery going dead after charging it only after 4 or5 shots made me conclude it was defective. This was also in auto mode and I checked my other digital nikon and it did not do any of these things and as sad as I was to return it,There was no answers in the manual for these problems. If anyone reads this and has some kind of answer please speak out to me because I loved that camera and have missed it ever since the return also I if it was defective and does not eat batteries I would most definatly purchase it again. I do not no the difference between camera shake and built in stabilation but I would take the chance on re-ordering that camera again Since the problems I listed were nowhere in the manual whih I spent two full days on what else could I do but I still love it and would love to have one without the problems I have stated above. Lastly, Does this camera eat battery power that fast?? I love that camera and I have read them all so please let me know if that is a real problem. AS for the rolling pictures of the Two TOwers DVD it only happened on the minolta and my nikon was fine. If there is any help out there I want to buy this one again. GREAT CAMERA. Last what are the silver metal things on the front side of this camera for> I forgot I hope some one reads tis because I am with the possitive reviews I think this camera and all features ROCK! I loved it and I as I said looked at all the camera's on site and this is the one. JosieRyder@aol.com
Rating:
Summary: Well built
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Well built
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding results!
Review: I was blown away by the level of quality the camera produced, even at the nominal settings. I have successfully replaced my high-end SLR. If you are on the fence, just buy it. Don't be fooled by the competitors' higher megapixel ratings--it's all about the lens! Features are more than most will ever need. You can't go wrong here.
Rating:
Summary: I'ts like carrying an electronic tripod.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: I wish I had the words to describe how awesome this thing is. From point-and-shoot snap shots using all the automatic settings to manually setting every last little thing for that special shot, this camera has more capabilities than this humble user!
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