Performance of A200

[Crash n Burn]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting either the KM A200 or the Oly 8080 during the upcoming IT fair. Anyone can spare some advice on these 2 cameras? Hv read some review and it seems that the A200 got some AF probs and image is a little soft compared to the 8080... anyone can comment???

Thks a whole lot in advance!!!

 

[dennixg]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting either the KM A200 or the Oly 8080 during the upcoming IT fair. Anyone can spare some advice on these 2 cameras? Hv read some review and it seems that the A200 got some AF probs and image is a little soft compared to the 8080... anyone can comment???

I am also considering the A200.

I read the softness is intentional so that individual user can adjust it using Dimage Viewer to their own preference.

 

[nad]

actually, if you want to talk abt AF probs, the C8080 is more problematic as you will gather from DPreview's Oly forum. It has low light focusing issues. The A200 should fare better here.

However, strictly from an image quality point of view, the C8080 is certainly better because of its more updated and much faster optics, unlike the A200's lens inherited since the days of the Dimage7, so its resolving strength is not as good which means a 'softer and less detailed' image, all things being equal.

However, having said that, the A200's AS feature is just so useful, IMO, esp in low light situations without tripod, it will go a long way to help you get a good picture.

I will suggest you get hands on for both cameras and get a feel of which interface you prefer.

 

[Crash n Burn]

Actually i'm no pro also... just looking to upgrade from my rather ancient 2mp camera... indeed its surprising that you mentioned that the A200 AF is better than the Oly 8080!!! Thought that at times it "wrongly" indicates a focus lock when it actually hasnt... Just thought that would be irritating if it happens too often! Anyone has any other exp to add???

 

[nad]

i don't know, just know that if the C8080 has better AF accuracy, a top info LCD and thread instead of bayonet lens mount, it will be close to being a perfect prosumer digicam.

as you can see, both the C8080 and A200 has pros and cons, you really must try both out to make the decision. only thing i can tell you is that the AF of the C8080 has the tendency to focus wrongly when shooting more complicated objects.

 

[Crash n Burn]

alrite... thks for ur input!

 

[splatt]

Well, I've had the A200 for a few months now and have had very, very few focus 'misses', always in low light when every digicam struggles. The most common reason for this problem is simply that novice users leave the camera in wide area AF and let it decide what to focus on. Whether it chooses the same subject you did can be pot luck on any camera, DSLR included, hence the pros usually use centre spot focus then recompose.
The softness issue: well, the pictures are still sharper and less noisy/grainy than my previous slides scanned on a good quality slide scanner.
I think the REALLY big differences between the A200 and the C8080 are anti-shake, which is fantastic, and size/weight. Sure you get a slightly faster, sharper lens on the Olympus, but you have to decide whether you'll be happy carrying such a brick around with you all day. If so, then buy a Nikon D70 kit: it's only a couple hundred dollars more, will take better pics than either of these and keep its value better.

 

[Flare]

Woo Hoo! Our Resident A200 Owner has turned up.

Yeah, the first thing that hit me when I saw the A200 at the Minolta showroom is the size, it's tiny, noticeably smaller than the A1/A2 when you hold it in your hands. But sadly it uses different battery as the A1/A2/7D or I would have pop in a batt and CF to try (wasn't bothered to go ask for batteries from the counter).

=)

 

[benedict check]

hi all offering minolta A200 @very good price.

1225 with 512mb card

 

[Crash n Burn]

Ah Ha! Just when i thought no one owned an A200!!! Alrite... so it seems that the focusing thing isnt such a big prob after all... Think what appeals to me is the mech 7x zoom as well as the build... now lets wait till the weekend and see what package the IT show can offer! Looks like my pocket's gonna bleed...Just for info to anyone who's interested... last quote i got from MS Colour was 1120...

 

[dennixg]

... last quote i got from MS Colour was 1120...

Wah, did you ask what does it come with?

 

[Firefox]

Ah Ha! Just when i thought no one owned an A200!!! Alrite... so it seems that the focusing thing isnt such a big prob after all... Think what appeals to me is the mech 7x zoom as well as the build... now lets wait till the weekend and see what package the IT show can offer! Looks like my pocket's gonna bleed...Just for info to anyone who's interested... last quote i got from MS Colour was 1120...

Hehe... I'm opting for the A2 instead.. *grinz* The A200's functionality resembles mickey-mouse cameras too much for my liking..

 

[shawn76]

IT show will sell A200 for $1345 with 1G Cf card, card reader, tripod, case, inkjet paper and 2nd year extended warranty.

 

[Agetan]

Sorry for off-topic,

Anyone know the price for Dynax 7D for IT show?

Hart

 

[shawn76]

Sorry for off-topic,

Anyone know the price for Dynax 7D for IT show?

Hart

selling for $2599.

 

[reduakari]

IT show will sell A200 for $1345 with 1G Cf card, card reader, tripod, case, inkjet paper and 2nd year extended warranty.

so izzit good to buy @ IT Fair? hahaha

 

[ken111111]

selling for $2599.

The brochure states

Price (Body only): $2599

 

[Firefox]

so izzit good to buy @ IT Fair? hahaha

If you're willing to shell out that kind of money for that kit, I suggest going for the Olympus E300 Evolt DSLR kit at Alan Photo instead.

To me, both cameras don't handle like serious cameras should. Both focus by wire. More importantly, both do not have seperate dials for adjusting shutter and aperture seperately. Having to press a button to change the settings greatly upsets the rhythm for photo-taking. This is one of the main reasons why I'd rather order an A2 than to buy the E300 or A200 off the shelves.

In which case, having the optical TTL viewfinder of the E300 is far better than the A200's low-resolution EVF (I tried it at the IT Show and found it was impossible to manually focus with the A200's EVF). Also another reason why I chose the A2.

 

[dennixg]

Just bought A200

Cheers !!!

 

[Crash n Burn]

Just bought A200

Cheers !!!

One step ahead of me!!! Went down to the show to try it out... next step to chk out prices at other shops! IMHO... tripod and photo paper dont look too useful! But cheers anyway for getting the A200!!! Hope to see some of your photos taken soon!