D7HI Replacement - Dimage A1

[phrozact]

Guess you pay for the built-in IS.
But basically this is a digital SLR but without the option of changing lens?

 

[deslim27]

Just called Minolta showroom, the guy mentioned A1 will be distributed to the retailers today. Suggested retail price is SGD1899.

Wonder was Andy, the one who attend to my call. :think:

 

[cheekeen]

The wait is finally over. Wonder if there any goodies to go with the cam during lunach period.

 

[tempest]

for those of you who dont know, Phil and Joanna Askey (from DPReview.com) did their A1 test shots in SG ... go check out DPReview !! the little noise at ISO400 is quite amazing ...

 

[andylee]

Just called Minolta showroom, the guy mentioned A1 will be distributed to the retailers today. Suggested retail price is SGD1899.

Wonder was Andy, the one who attend to my call. :think:

So des you... :bsmilie:1st one leh can win one A1.................brochure... :bsmilie:

 

[sulhan]

BUY!!!!

:devil: :devil:

 

[deslim27]

So des you... :bsmilie:1st one leh can win one A1.................brochure... :bsmilie:

LOL! Andy, when will A1 be available in the showroom, want to bring my colleague there to try leh.

 

[forbytes]

Yoo andy... I also want to try A1... by the way has the grip arrived too?

I may want to pop over at the show room friday afternoon at 4+pm

 

[yinkhoon]

I bought the A1 yesterday at Marina Cathay Photo for $1650. Was quite surprised at the price, I reckon the introduction of the Canon 300d at $1800+ must have forced Minolta to reprice the A1. When I checked the price of the 7Hi, which Cathay Photo still sells, it was still going at $1800+!

Anyway, first impressions of the A1 are that the handgrip is big and thick! At first I felt it was a bit too deep for my fingers, as the Dynax 5 has such a puny handgrip. But after some time, I got used to it, the deep handgrip meant that i grasped the camera with a much surer hold, it's one camera that allows you to use it to take 1-handed shots very well! Combine that with the AS and I can really become a 1-handed shooter haha...

The EVF viewfinder copes with movement better now, doesn't blur with movement and then have to refocus itself again (if u know what I mean), like on the 7Hi or the Nikon 5700. However, I felt the LCD resolution could have been better.. can get a bit grainy in low light. My other digicam the Canon Ixus 400 seems to have a LCD with higher resolution, but then that LCD screen is only 1.5 inch sized, compared to the A1's 1.8 inch.

The tiltable LCD screen is very solid, the hinges are made of a solid feeling metal. No worries about the swivel not lasting the lifetime of the camera. And it felt great using the tiltable LCD for waist level shots.

I tried the Canon 300d too at the shop. Autofocus speed of the A1 is definitely slower than the 300d which achieved focus almost immediately. But I am happy enough. After all, I don't intend to use the A1 for sports, but more for travels and family pictures for which the speed is adequate. It's a happy trade-off I will make for the live preview, tiltable LCD screen, and live histrogram. And the 300d's viewfinder is on the dim side... will be worse if you use a telephoto zoom on it. But the 300d is solidly constructed as well, better than the EOS300 definitely. But I guess I have been a Minolta man too long.. preferred the A1's feel and construct to the canon.

The Dimage A1 will last me for 1 happy year at least until the Minolta DSLRs series comes out.

 

[andylee]

Sorry guys,once i have the showpicec set, i will post here again. :embrass:

 

[renaissance_myth]

sample pics from the Dimage A1.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0309/03092401minoltaa1samps.asp


don't you think that the locations look very familiar?


regards

 

[SianZronG]

I bought the A1 yesterday at Marina Cathay Photo for $1650. Was quite surprised at the price, I reckon the introduction of the Canon 300d at $1800+ must have forced Minolta to reprice the A1. When I checked the price of the 7Hi, which Cathay Photo still sells, it was still going at $1800+!

Anyway, first impressions of the A1 are that the handgrip is big and thick! At first I felt it was a bit too deep for my fingers, as the Dynax 5 has such a puny handgrip. But after some time, I got used to it, the deep handgrip meant that i grasped the camera with a much surer hold, it's one camera that allows you to use it to take 1-handed shots very well! Combine that with the AS and I can really become a 1-handed shooter haha...

The EVF viewfinder copes with movement better now, doesn't blur with movement and then have to refocus itself again (if u know what I mean), like on the 7Hi or the Nikon 5700. However, I felt the LCD resolution could have been better.. can get a bit grainy in low light. My other digicam the Canon Ixus 400 seems to have a LCD with higher resolution, but then that LCD screen is only 1.5 inch sized, compared to the A1's 1.8 inch.

The tiltable LCD screen is very solid, the hinges are made of a solid feeling metal. No worries about the swivel not lasting the lifetime of the camera. And it felt great using the tiltable LCD for waist level shots.

I tried the Canon 300d too at the shop. Autofocus speed of the A1 is definitely slower than the 300d which achieved focus almost immediately. But I am happy enough. After all, I don't intend to use the A1 for sports, but more for travels and family pictures for which the speed is adequate. It's a happy trade-off I will make for the live preview, tiltable LCD screen, and live histrogram. And the 300d's viewfinder is on the dim side... will be worse if you use a telephoto zoom on it. But the 300d is solidly constructed as well, better than the EOS300 definitely. But I guess I have been a Minolta man too long.. preferred the A1's feel and construct to the canon.

The Dimage A1 will last me for 1 happy year at least until the Minolta DSLRs series comes out.

wow so cheap... and i though it was going to be like at least $2k+ .....

 

[stk]

wow so cheap... and i though it was going to be like at least $2k+ .....

The price of the A1 is sure gonna affect the resale value of the 7hi, 7i models..

SianZrong, u thinking of changing from your E-10?

 

[SianZronG]

The price of the A1 is sure gonna affect the resale value of the 7hi, 7i models..

SianZrong, u thinking of changing from your E-10?

the A1 still lacks 1 Feature that i must have.... a SLR operation.... in the end a A1's view finder's still a LCD haiz.... the ALMOST perfect camera for mi

 

[andylee]

I am playing with the A1 now as i'm typing.......nice weight, nice feel with the grip.....yet to really focus in dim areas.....wow shall i buy??

 

[deslim27]

I am playing with the A1 now as i'm typing.......nice weight, nice feel with the grip.....yet to really focus in dim areas.....wow shall i buy??

hey! please put the showroom unit back on the shelf :nono: ... I can't wait to try it.. kekekee

 

[andylee]

Tat's a good one..... :bsmilie: ok,but muz let me learn 1st mah... ;p see you all tomorrow eh...wow the battery damm good lah!!

 

[forbytes]

wow the battery damm good lah!!

No battery is too good IF YOU FORGET TO CHARGE IT!!! :blah: Just joking. No offence.

So I hope the battery still have juice when I come.

 

[andylee]

Yes, you bet that I'm gonna charge it now.......just finis making out with it......it's 2am liao :bsmilie:wa liao eh,virgin set :devil: me 1st one to touch the showroom set..... ;p

 

[fighthefuture]

Hi guys,

PM me if you want quotations for the A1

Cheers!