Why no one is talking about A200?
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There was an earlier thread, but it kinda fizzled out after Sitex. I've been searching for reviews & other forum discussion on the A200 also - not much success. Can't even find a single decent sample of A200 pics, except for KM official samples.
What I have so far:
Review at http://www.megapixel.net
Forums at dpreview, stevesforums, megapixel ... have all been disappointing
Pricing:
fotoheaven.org - $1365 (incl GST + 512 Mb CF)
Paris Silk - $1185 (b4 GST)
From user splatt @ clubsnap.org (Minolta forum, pg 2)
Checked around the shops in Funan last night.
John 3:16 was most expensive at $1280, Alan Photo quoted $1205, shop beside AP quoted $1125+GST=$1181, and shop next to that quoted $1100+GST=$1155 (all standard package, no card). Although not sure if the last quote was serious.
What I have so far:
Review at http://www.megapixel.net
Forums at dpreview, stevesforums, megapixel ... have all been disappointing
Pricing:
fotoheaven.org - $1365 (incl GST + 512 Mb CF)
Paris Silk - $1185 (b4 GST)
From user splatt @ clubsnap.org (Minolta forum, pg 2)
Checked around the shops in Funan last night.
John 3:16 was most expensive at $1280, Alan Photo quoted $1205, shop beside AP quoted $1125+GST=$1181, and shop next to that quoted $1100+GST=$1155 (all standard package, no card). Although not sure if the last quote was serious.
There's an ad in yahoo classified (www.yahoo.com.sg) for Minolta A2 @ $600 from a seller from Telok Blangah, supposed to be brand new with 12 mth international warranty - contacted him - basically wants payment via Western Union. I'm not keen on it bec. too risky. Do you know of anyone who has managed to obtain the camera from this source successfully?
P.S. Same seller is also offering many other digicams at 'great' discounts.... :dunno:
P.S. Same seller is also offering many other digicams at 'great' discounts.... :dunno:
There's a new user review - ISO noise test pics - at dpreview. Noise (before processing) at ISO 400 seems quite acceptable. ISO 800 with post processing using NN looks good too. The link is as follows:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=11362773
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=11362773
Shiro MS08th
Senior Member
KMkeatz said:
Becareful, there is alot of romanian scammers in YahooSG Auction, they are using multiple accounts to buy and sell to each other to gain points.
When you see a price too good to be true, usually it's too good to be true.
Unless that seller has damn high reputation and the feedback aren't too fake like, that item just ended an hour or two, the feedback has wrote for that seller already.
And western union is dangerous, you can try to play with that scammer seller, ask him to use escrow.
synapseman
Senior Member
Firstly, yeah, I also made enquiries about that 'Telok Blangah' guy. $600? The moment he said that he is from Romania, I thought to myself "no way". I wanted to request serial number, and Cash-On-Delivery terms, but decided to not even dignify that with a response.
Secondly, did some research on the A200. It seems that many review sites aren't very interested in this cam as well. Furthermore, discussion in other forums seem to suggest that it's a dumbed-down A2, meant to create that gap so as to push sales of the D7D. A case of marketing department winning over KM's engineering dept.
The only improvement over the A2 seems to be the CxIII processing, flip-out LCD and better LCD resolution. I don't see a reduction in size as a plus point as I like my cameras chunky.
No external batt. pack/vert grip. Loses A2's hi-res EVF. No PC sync socket. No tiltable EVF. I shoot viewing through EVF 90% of the time, so this matters quite a bit to me.
Secondly, did some research on the A200. It seems that many review sites aren't very interested in this cam as well. Furthermore, discussion in other forums seem to suggest that it's a dumbed-down A2, meant to create that gap so as to push sales of the D7D. A case of marketing department winning over KM's engineering dept.
The only improvement over the A2 seems to be the CxIII processing, flip-out LCD and better LCD resolution. I don't see a reduction in size as a plus point as I like my cameras chunky.
No external batt. pack/vert grip. Loses A2's hi-res EVF. No PC sync socket. No tiltable EVF. I shoot viewing through EVF 90% of the time, so this matters quite a bit to me.
Bought the A200 from BestCam (beside Alan Photo in Funan) last night at S$1190 (incl. GST). Alan Photo wouldn't go any lower than S$1260. Zoom Pix (beside BestCam) price of $1155 turned out to be the old accessories scam (what, you don't want a bag, filter, card? Sorry sir, this is the display model, no stock).
Annoyingly, really wanted a 40X 1 GB card to go with it but searched all over Funan/Peninsula/Sim Lim and couldn't find one. Only choices seem to be the 60X/80X Ultra-expensive or the normal Kingston/Sandisk ones (around 10X).
As someone moving from a film SLR (Dynax 5), there will be a bit of a digital learning curve for me. I'll try it out over the weekend and give some impressions when I can.
Annoyingly, really wanted a 40X 1 GB card to go with it but searched all over Funan/Peninsula/Sim Lim and couldn't find one. Only choices seem to be the 60X/80X Ultra-expensive or the normal Kingston/Sandisk ones (around 10X).
As someone moving from a film SLR (Dynax 5), there will be a bit of a digital learning curve for me. I'll try it out over the weekend and give some impressions when I can.
The way I see it, the high res EVF in the A2 is most useful when you want to do manual focusing - the target audience for the A200 is more likely to use autofocus. Even then, you are better off using a DSLR.
I'm very interested to know how the new CxIII process and ISO performance of the A200 compares with the A2.
Any A200 users - sample pics??
I'm very interested to know how the new CxIII process and ISO performance of the A200 compares with the A2.
Any A200 users - sample pics??
The KM7D is a different class of camera - also a lot more expensive. I've a number of Minolta lenses & have been eyeing it for some time. Only thing that's holding me back is bec. I'll lose all my WA capability (unless I buy a new WA lens) & the price.
That's why I'm looking at the A200 for P&S, perhaps until the 9D.
That's why I'm looking at the A200 for P&S, perhaps until the 9D.
splatt said:
Wooohoo~ splatt, got your A200, cheers...
Did you compare it with the A1/A2, how does it fare against it? I believe that the price difference between the A200 and A1, or even A2 are not that big, but how's the difference in performance?
Anyway, I wonder up to what write speed does the A200 support? If a faster card doesn't make much difference... perhaps you could live with a kingston... unless you intend to upgrade soon, and continue using the CF in the new camera...
Oh, by the way... Anymore lens to sell me? :bsmilie:
Well, I haven't had a lot of time with the camera yet, but from first impressions I am pleasantly surprised.
1. The autofocus is definitely slower than my Dynax 5, but it's not as bad as I expected. I can't see it making much difference to most of my shooting.
2. It's got some v. useful features that the Dynax 5 didn't: flash compensation, rear curtain synch are both things I wanted. And of course, the AS.
3. The EVF is actually fine. Sure, you can't use it for focusing, but it's got a far better coverage than a low range film SLR. I think my Dynax 5 was 74% coverage and then there would be variation in the slide mounting; this is more like 95% so you can be much more certain about what's in/out of the picture. There were a number of shots with my Dynax 5 where elements crept in at the corners, which I had to crop later.
4. The start-up is quick enough. It's not instant like a film camera, but it's ready as fast as you can lift it to your eye.
5. I love having an all-in-one 28-200 lens. This is perfect for 99% of my shooting. Remains to be seen whether the vignetting/distortion are acceptable.
The only thing I REALLY miss is the top of camera information LCD. This means that in order to check your settings or adjust them, you have to flip out the panel or look in the viewfinder, which is a pain. Hopefully I'll work out a better method soon enough.
1. The autofocus is definitely slower than my Dynax 5, but it's not as bad as I expected. I can't see it making much difference to most of my shooting.
2. It's got some v. useful features that the Dynax 5 didn't: flash compensation, rear curtain synch are both things I wanted. And of course, the AS.
3. The EVF is actually fine. Sure, you can't use it for focusing, but it's got a far better coverage than a low range film SLR. I think my Dynax 5 was 74% coverage and then there would be variation in the slide mounting; this is more like 95% so you can be much more certain about what's in/out of the picture. There were a number of shots with my Dynax 5 where elements crept in at the corners, which I had to crop later.
4. The start-up is quick enough. It's not instant like a film camera, but it's ready as fast as you can lift it to your eye.
5. I love having an all-in-one 28-200 lens. This is perfect for 99% of my shooting. Remains to be seen whether the vignetting/distortion are acceptable.
The only thing I REALLY miss is the top of camera information LCD. This means that in order to check your settings or adjust them, you have to flip out the panel or look in the viewfinder, which is a pain. Hopefully I'll work out a better method soon enough.
Hi Flare
Glad you're enjoying the new toy!
Yep, settled on the Kingston in the end. Because of the A200 buffer, it won't matter too much, but it makes a significant difference for downloading to the PC with a CF reader. Also, I was thinking ahead for a possible Dynax 5 Digital, which could have Write Acceleration. On the D70, the difference is almost double speed.
I am also half considering selling a very, very sweet lens. Tokina 100-300 ATX AF f4 constant aperture. Bought 18mths ago from Cathay at S$1180. Still got 6 months warranty left. The images from it are beautiful, but it's really too big for me, and on a film camera 300mm is just not long enough. On a digital it'll be a 150-450 f4 which would be fantastic. Look up Moose Peterson's review on the net. Debating whether to hang on to it until I can afford a Minolta DSLR. Anyway, if you're interested, make me an offer.
Glad you're enjoying the new toy!
Yep, settled on the Kingston in the end. Because of the A200 buffer, it won't matter too much, but it makes a significant difference for downloading to the PC with a CF reader. Also, I was thinking ahead for a possible Dynax 5 Digital, which could have Write Acceleration. On the D70, the difference is almost double speed.
I am also half considering selling a very, very sweet lens. Tokina 100-300 ATX AF f4 constant aperture. Bought 18mths ago from Cathay at S$1180. Still got 6 months warranty left. The images from it are beautiful, but it's really too big for me, and on a film camera 300mm is just not long enough. On a digital it'll be a 150-450 f4 which would be fantastic. Look up Moose Peterson's review on the net. Debating whether to hang on to it until I can afford a Minolta DSLR. Anyway, if you're interested, make me an offer.
There are a number of A200 threads in dpreview. One of the users (jamey) has also uploaded sample pictures in his pbase account - http://www.pbase.com/jamey.
Decided to get myself the A200 over the weekend. Still reading the manual & playing with the camera, but my first impressions is very positive.
Likes (IMO):
- CxIII process (great colors straight from camera)
- twist & flip LCD (much better than A2)
- size/weight (no problems carrying for whole day)
- construction (feels ok; not cheap or plasticky)
- layout of menus/functions (quite well thought out; adv hobbist?)
- anti-shake (really rocks - you have to see it to believe it)
- autofocus at telephoto (hunting at very low light, but typical of digicams & even autofocus SLRs; normal lighting - no problems)
- battery life (haven't used up my 1st charge yet)
- battery compatible with cheap generics (Nikon EN-EL1)
- price (much less than A2)
Complaints:
- EVF (manual focus works, but takes getting used to compared to film SLR)
- ISO noise (will try test pics later)
- AWB (gets color balance wrong sometimes under indoor lighting; warm cast)
Hope this helps.
P.S. I've only passing aquaintance with A2
Decided to get myself the A200 over the weekend. Still reading the manual & playing with the camera, but my first impressions is very positive.
Likes (IMO):
- CxIII process (great colors straight from camera)
- twist & flip LCD (much better than A2)
- size/weight (no problems carrying for whole day)
- construction (feels ok; not cheap or plasticky)
- layout of menus/functions (quite well thought out; adv hobbist?)
- anti-shake (really rocks - you have to see it to believe it)
- autofocus at telephoto (hunting at very low light, but typical of digicams & even autofocus SLRs; normal lighting - no problems)
- battery life (haven't used up my 1st charge yet)
- battery compatible with cheap generics (Nikon EN-EL1)
- price (much less than A2)
Complaints:
- EVF (manual focus works, but takes getting used to compared to film SLR)
- ISO noise (will try test pics later)
- AWB (gets color balance wrong sometimes under indoor lighting; warm cast)
Hope this helps.
P.S. I've only passing aquaintance with A2
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