Equipped with an 8 megapixel, 2/3 inch CCD, the DiMAGE
A2 captures a maximum image size of 3264 x 2448 pixels.
CCD sensitivity starts at 64 ISO, but can be increased to 100, 200, 400
or 800 ISO. In addition, an Auto setting allows the camera to automatically
adjust the sensitivity from 64 to 200 ISO.
The Dimage A2 uses the same
lens found on the A1, a lens that was originally developed
for the D7, a 7X GT APO (apochromatic) zoom with a focal
range of 7.2 to 50.8mm, composed of 16 elements arranged in
13 groups. Zooming is manual, with a large rubber covered ring,
and focal lengths are indicated in their 35mm equivalent, 28
to 200 mm, around the perimeter of the ring. On the left side
of the lens barrel a small switch engages the macro mode when
the lens is either end of its range. When engaged at the telephoto
end, the macro mode allows a bit of zoom movement, but none
at the wide angle end.
Apertures start at f2.8 at the
wide angle position, and f3.5 at the telephoto end, closing
down to f11. Shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/4000
sec, limited to 1/2000 sec however, for both the Manual and
Shutter Priority modes, and to a maximum of 15 seconds in
the Auto mode. In addition, the Manual mode offers a B mode
(Bulb), and while it too has a limit of 30 seconds, it allows
more precise control using the optional remote control (RC-1000S
or RC-1000L), than is possible with specific timed presets.
Also worth noting, the maximum exposure time of 30 seconds
is only available at 64 and 100 ISO. With higher ISO settings,
the maximum exposure time decreases (15 seconds at 200 ISO,
8 seconds at 400 ISO, and 4 seconds at 800 ISO).
The A2's auto focus can operate as a wide area AF which automatically
finds the focus point; or be user set to any point in the frame, a system
called Flex Focus. The AF can also operate as a standard single
shot AF, or a Continuous AF that is able to track a moving subject. Furthermore,
because continuous AF systems tend to drain batteries, the A2's is equipped
with sensors on the front of the grip that only activate the Continuous
AF mode when the camera detects that the grip is being held.
Six image sizes are offered:
3264 X 2448
3264 X 2176 (3:2)
2560 X 1920
2080 X 1560
1600 X 1200
640 X 480
And each of these can be saved as either JPEG at one of
three compression levels, Extra Fine, Fine or Standard;
or in an uncompressed TIFF format.
Moreover, the A2 is also able
to save images in RAW format, which can be imported to a computer
and converted using the software included with the camera.
As with other RAW image formats , the camera stores the raw output
from the CCD and records the camera settings for white balance,
contrast, saturation, etc. as part of the image file. Then,
once the image is imported these settings can either be applied
as the image is converted to a more common format, or edited
as needed.
While the A2 provides numerous
external controls it also offers a very extensive menu system.
The main menu is composed of 4 pages, each identified by a
numbered tab at the top of the screen. Moreover, an access
to the Setup menu — indicated by a little wrench
icon — is provided at the far top right of the screen. (The
contents of the Setup menu is detailed in the Interface
and Software section of the review.)
The Recording menu provides the following options:
Image Size: as explained above.
Quality: as explained above.
Flash Mode: Fill-In, Red-eye Reduction, Rear Flash Synch
(second curtain flash), Wireless (to control Minolta Flash units 3600HS
or 5600HS).
Flash Control: offers 3 options:
ADI Flash: (Advanced Distance Integration)
flash metering combines a pre-flash exposure with distance
information provided by the AF system.
Pre-flash TTL: bases the exposure on the pre-flash
only (no distance info).
Manual Flash Control: fires the flash at full
power or 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 or 1/16 power.
AEL Button: serves to choose how the AEL button
functions.
AE Hold: pressing and holding the AEL buttons
locks the exposure.
AE Toggle: allows pressing the button once
to lock the exposure and pressing a second time to
release it.
Spot AE Hold: locks the exposure at the focus
point using the spot metering area while the AE button
is pressed.
Spot AE Toggle: locks the exposure at the
focus point using the spot metering area when the AE
button is pressed once, and releases it when the button
is pressed a second time.
Reset: returns the camera to its factory defaults.
Interval: sets the time interval for the interval
shooting mode.
Bracket Set: selects the bracketing increment,
either 0.3 EV or 05 EV.
Data Imprint: to select the information or text
that will be imprinted on a still image (date or date and
text can be imprinted).
Imprint to: decides whether the data selected
for imprinting in the previous option will be directly
imprinted on the image, or in the EXIF data that is
part of image file header.
Inst. Playback: determines the amount of time
a just captured image is shown on the screen.
Voice Memo: On or Off. When On a voice memo
up to 15 seconds long can be attached to an image.
Colour Mode: to select the colour space the A2
will use:
Natural Colour: sRGB colour space, and reproduces
colours faithfully.
Vivid Colour: sRGB colour space with increased
saturation.
Adobe RGB: same as Natural Colour but
using the extended gamut of the Adobe colour space
instead of sRGB.
Embedded Adobe RGB: same as Adobe RGB, except
that the colour space is embedded in the file.
Black and White: captures the image in black
and white. (Digital Effects Filters can be used to
colourize the image).
Solarization: partially reverses the colours
in the image.
Sharpness: Hard Normal or Soft.
Noise Reduction: turns on the noise reduction
system which then operates with images captured with 1
sec or longer exposure times.
Monitor Amplification: controls how and when the
monitor's image is amplified:
Auto: in low light conditions when the camera
sensitivity gain has reached its limit, the automatic
monitor amplification function will intensify the monitor
image. Although the live image turns black and white,
this does not affect the colour mode in use.
Normal: no amplification.
Exposure priority: the live image reflects
the set exposure. Automatic monitor amplification is
disabled.
Display priority: the live images is displayed
regardless of the exposure settings. This allows the
image to be composed on the monitor when using a flash
as the main light source. When selected, the manual
exposure mode indicator turns red on the monitor.
Mag. Button: selects the function of the Magnification
button, either digital zoom or Flex Digital Magnifier for
use during Manual focusing.
DSP Set: the memory registers used for camera
settings can be assigned to the Digital Subject Program
positions on the exposure-mode dial. Two options are available:
DSP: the Digital Subject Programs are active
on the exposure-mode dial.
Memory recall: the memory register are assigned
to the Digital Subject Program positions.
Tracking AF: turns On or Off subject tracking
when Continuous AF is in use.
AE Lock: to turn On or Off the Auto Exposure
lock when the shutter release is held partway down. When
Off the focus is locked but the exposure varies as the
subject changes. When On the Exposure is locked along with
the focus when the shutter release is held half pressed.
Spot AE Area has two settings: Centre Spot (spot
metering takes place at the centre of the frame), and Flex
Focus point (spot metering follows the focus point).
Direct Manual Focus: allow fine-tuning the Auto
focus using the focus ring.
EVF Mode: to select the display mode of the EVF, Quality or Smooth(see
the Ergonomics section of the review).
While the extensive Recording menu detailed above applies to
all still image modes, the Movie mode offers only a
single page:
Image Size: 544 x 408 pixels or 320 x 240 pixels
Frame Rate: 30 fps or 15 fps.
Movie Mode:
Standard: records a colour movie under normal light
conditions.
Night Movie: records a black and white movie.
Auto select: automatically selects one of the 2 modes
above depending on the available light.
Reset: returns the camera to its factory defaults.
The Playback menu of the A2 fits
over three screens, once again each being identified by a number:
Delete: to erase one, more than one, or all images.
Format: to format the memory card.
View Folder: to select another folder from which
to view images.
Lock: to lock one, more than one, or all images
in a folder, preventing their accidental deletion.
Copy: to copy one or more images.
Index Format: serves to select how many frames
will be shown per index screen (thumbnails view), 4 or
9 frames.
Slide Show: automatically displays all images
in a folder in sequence. Images to be included can be selected
individually, the on-screen time specified, and the slide
show can be set to repeat automatically.
DPOF Set: serves to select images to be printed,
the number of prints to make of each, whether or not the
data will be superimposed on the print, or cancel any existing
DPOF settings.
The DiMAGE A2 is equipped with a CompactFlash Type I & II
and is compatible with Microdrives, located on the right side
of the camera behind a solid spring-loaded plastic door.
The Dimage A2 is not normally
packaged with a memory card though some retailers may include
one.
As a guide, the table below indicates storage capacity with a 128MB CompactFlash
Type I card:
JPEG
TIFF
RAW
Image Size
Std
Fine
Ex Fine
3264 X 2448
53
30
15
5
10
3264 X 2176 3:2
59
34
17
5
—
2560 X 1920
83
49
25
8
—
2080 X 1560
121
72
37
12
—
1600 X 1200
190
117
62
21
—
640 X 480
520
389
296
122
—
The USB (2.0 High speed) port also
serves as the A/V out and is located near the top left of the
card slot door, behind a tethered rubber cover. The A/V (audio
and video) can be set to either NTSC or PAL in the Setup menu.
Two other jacks are located
on the lower back of the A2, immediately to the right of the
hinged LCD monitor. As with the USB/AV port, these are also
sealed by a flexible plastic cover that is tethered to the
body.
On the left is DC-IN jack intended for use with the optional AC-DC Adapter
(AC-1L) making it possible to power the camera from household current.
On the right is a jack for the optional remote control (RC-1000S or RC-1000L)
designed for use with the B (Bulb) mode.
Just like the A1, the A2 is
powered by a rechargeable Lithium ion battery (NP-400) which
is housed in the grip of the camera, and covered by a metal
door. A catch holds the battery in place when the door is opened,
preventing it from sliding out accidentally. Both the battery
and the charger are included with the camera.
The DiMAGE A2 can also be fitted with an optional Battery Pack (BP-400)
which doubles as a vertical grip and is equipped with vertical shutter
release.
Compare Prices for KONICA MINOLTA Dimage A2 Battery
Characteristics
