Konica Minolta Dimage A200 8MP Digital Camera with Anti-Shake 7x Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: Dimage A200 Camera
Review: I have had a Nikon Coolpix 4300 for about two and a half years and in that time have taken over 2500 pictures. One thing I definately wanted was a camera with a longer zoom. I travel by bicycle and like to carry my camera everywhere (that is why so many pictures!) so I did not want to go to the size and expense of a digital SLR. As I seached for cameras with longer zooms, there were two I liked the range of- both the Canon Pro1 and the Dimage A200 which was not released yet. The 28- 200mm (35mm equivelent) zoom gives me a great range from wide angle to telephoto. A very useful range making many different pictures possible. I also was attracted by the anti-shake feature. A camera with a long zoom (some go to 300mm on digital prosumer cameras) is not useful if you cannot hold it steady enough to get a clear picture. Despite the length of the zoom, the camera is surprisingly compact at about 4 1/2" by 4 1/2" and easily fits into my fanny pack which is exactly what I wanted.
Another great feature is the adjustable LCD monitor which is sharper than the one on my Nikon. This allows you to aim over your head or at a low angle and still see what you are shooting at. You can fold it in facing the camera body to protect it and also to shoot using the EVF viewfinder which means you are using less battery power. It will turn completely forward so you can do a self portrait using the remote control to trip the shutter. The remote can also be useful for long exposures on a tripod like night shots. For night shots, it even has noise cancelation where it will take a second picture with the shutter closed to record any "hot spots" from pixels and subtract them from the final picture so it is clearer and doesn't have white dots on it. I tried this and it takes great night shots- the best I have gotten with any camera I have owned. I used a tripod of course. This slows the time between pictures a little, but if you are taking this type of picture you are used to waiting.
The time between shots it pretty quick. Faster than my Nikon certainly. It has manual or auto focus (I used manual with it at infinity for my night shots since this like many auto focus cameras can have trouble focusing in low light situations). The macro can be used at either the wide angle or telephoto ends of the zoom. I have not really tried that yet. Nor have I tried the movie format which is said to be very good. There are two resolutions you can use for that. That is not what I bought this camera for anyways.
I thought my little Nikon 4mp camera took nice pictures,but the Dimage A200 blows that away. It is simple enough for a novice to use it on "Auto" but has enough features to please most professionals too. I have mostly used "Auto" so far and as I become more familiar with the camera, I will be able to take advantage of more of its features. I already have taken pictures with it that when I look at them I am amazed that I took them. They are very sharp- from the wide angle through telephoto. This camera fit my needs and then some- with the options available as I become more experienced with them. If you are serious about photography and yet want to keep it simple, this is a great camera! I don't need or want to carry all that other gear.
Notice I have not talked about the eight megapixels? That is because it was not a consideration for my purchase and enjoyment fo this camera. Four is a lot for most uses especially since most users will not be making prints larger than 8x 10. But this camera gives you that possiblity. I guess that sums up this camera the best- all the possibilities it gives you. All in one small package. I love this camera! Yes, the photo is what the eye sees, but this will definately help you to capture what you see. I very highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: A Camera for Photographers
Review: Let me be honest. I don't like digital cameras! I have a Canon F1 for 25 years that I have used to take pictures in Canada when it was -35c. When I want better quality, I have a Fuji 645zi. It will be many years before digital catches up.

However, I have realised for a while that I am missing many shots in my day to day life because I don't think they are worthy of committing to film. So at the end of 2004 I started reading the magazines to look for a digital camera. And what a lot of nonsense I had to read!

ANYHOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY HARD WORK - JUST BUY THIS CAMERA!!

What is great about it is it works on auto straight out the box and its sharp 28-200 image stabalised lens gives great results on default settings. After a few hours, I changed the default colour setting to Vivid and moved over to shutter priority and got even better results.

But this camera has over-rides for everything, including the ability to power the flash down to 1/8th power and use it to fire slave studio flash.

It has 8mp and can shoot in RAW, RAW+JPeg or JPEG. it uses compact flash cards and I have been using a Lexar 1GB card with fast processing between shots.

It also comes with a neat remote control unit, which allows self portraits etc.

This is a go-everywhere camera. Very light and compact. Will become my camera for business trips. And with 8mp, if I take a shot I want to enlarge beyond 8x10, it can be easily done.

Check this beauty out-you won't be disappointed

Rating:
Summary: A Whole New World
Review: This is soooo different for me. I have a Canon Powershot G2 that I absolutely love. I wanted to try a camera with an optical zoom and didn't feel like spending $1,000 for a Rebel that I didn't have any extra lenses for. I also wanted to be able to use Compact Flash. This camera takes some getting used to, but I can already see the potential for great shots. My best advice is READ THE MANUAL. It is very well written and easy to understand. With 8 megapixels to work with, it is easier to fix shots that leave something to be desired.