Click on the DiMAGE A2 to take a QuickTime VR tour

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 inherits the excellent image quality and performance of the DiMAGE A1 and takes it to the next level with a high-quality 8-megapixel CCD and a Super Fine Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with VGA resolution. The features continue with a fast, new 3D autofocusing system (1.5x faster than DiMAGE A1) with 3D Predicative Focus Control and Movement tracking, a sharp f/2.8 7x optical zoom lens with manual zoom and focus rings, Anti-shake function for still images and VGA quality movies, CxProcess II Image Processing technology, UHS Continuous Advance rate of 7 frames per second, high-speed USB 2.0 support and compatibility with portable and studio flash systems.

The DiMAGE A2's Super Fine electronic viewfinder (EVF) is sharp and clear thanks to a high-density display with VGA resolution. The EVF has also evolved to make digital photography even more of a pleasure. Precise focusing is amazingly easy, allowing the photographer to see the tiniest details in the most realistic colors. Switching into Smooth Mode provides 60 frames per second, making it a easy to focus on fast moving subjects.

The DiMAGE A2 features a full range of exposure modes including Program AE with Shift, Shutter speed and Aperture priority, full Manual and four pre-programmed Scene modes. Three exposure metering modes, adjustable ISO sensitivity from 64 to 800, auto bracketing of exposure, contrast and color saturation, six white balance presets with fine tuning and three custom WB settings, sRGB and Adobe RGB color space, seven color modes and much more.

A2 shown with optional BP-400 battery grip

The DiMAGE A2 is equipped with an Anti-Shake function, it incorporates CCD shifting technology to minimize the effect of camera shake up to 800%. Konica Minolta’s proprietary Anti-Shake function delivers a highly effective way to take high-quality images with hand-held shooting under telephoto and low lighting situations, even when a relative novice is using the DiMAGE A2.

The fast f2.8 – f3.5 7x optical zoom lens features an advanced apochromatic (APO) lens design employing anomalous dispersion (AD) glass to minimize chromatic aberration at all focal lengths and produce sharp, contrasty images. With a focal range of 7.2mm to 50.8mm, it's equivalent to a 28mm to 200mm zoom lens in 35mm format.

The 3D AF provides seamless subject tracking as it focuses on moving subjects to capture sharp, high-quality images, even when they are coming straight toward the camera. Pressing the shutter release button launches the 3D Predictive Focus Control, which calculates exactly where the subject will be and accurately focuses on that point at the time of exposure. The AF speed outstrips anything in its class for any SLR-type digital camera with non-interchangeable lens 5x or greater optical zoom. The 3D AF and the focus speed combine to give you hassle-free focusing.

The DiMAGE A2 also features high-quality movie recording at 544 x 408 pixels with audio at 30 frames per second. You can record up to 15 minutes of action that looks great even when viewed on a TV screen. And the included Ulead video editing software turns users into movie makers.

DiMAGE A2 Features:

• 8-megapixel 2/3" CCD imager, still images up to 3264 x 2448 pixels
• 7x optical zoom, 28-200mm equivalent with manual zoom and focus rings
• Anti-Shake function for sharp images at low shutter speed or long focal lengths
• CCD-RAW, TIFF, RAW+JPEG, Extra Fine JPEG file modes
• Lightweight magnesium-alloy body, professional black finish with a large rubberized grip
• Native sRGB or Adobe RGB color space is selectable
• Program AE with Shift, Aperture priority, Shutter priority and Manual exposure modes
• Scene modes: Portrait, Sports, Night Portrait/Night View and Sunset
• Vari-angle (-20 to 90°) 1.8-inch color LCD with 118,000 pixels
• Color Viewfinder with VGA resolution - tilts up to 90°, down 20°, 30fps and 60fps refresh rates, auto gain-up in low-light and Eye-start for power saving operation
• Color modes: Natural Color (sRGB), Vivid Color (sRGB), Adobe RGB, Embedded Adobe RGB, B&W (Neutral and Toned), Solarization
• Burst capture @ 2.7fps up to three full size RAW images
• Ultra High-Speed 7fps continuous mode for 640x480 size images
• 544x408 or 320x240 motion video, 30/15fps with audio, up to 15 minutes
• Shutter speeds: 30 seconds to 1/4,000 (ISO 64/100)
• 11-point AF area with 3-D Predictive Focus Control and Subject Tracking
• Flex Focus Point, change the extra-wide AF area to a cross-hair spot focus point that can be moved to anywhere within the image
• White balance: Auto plus six presets with 7 levels of fine tuning plus three custom settings
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400 and 800 equivalents
• Up to 15 sec. audio memos can be added to still images
• Bracketing of exposure, contrast and color saturation
• Flash hot shoe and external PC flash sync terminal
• Digital Effects Control: sharpness, contrast and color saturation
• Popup flash with Advanced Distance Integration flash metering
• Three metering modes: 300-segment, center-weighted and spot
• Playback/QuickView with histogram feature
• Data imprinting that records date, time and descriptive info on images
• USB 2.0 high-speed I/O for fast downloads
• High-capacity rechargeable Li-ion battery pack
• Optional battery grip holds two Li-ion packs or 6xAA batteries
• PictBridge, Exif Print 2.2 and Epson PIM II compatible

DIWA Gold Medal Award

22. September, 2004: DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating websites, today has the pleasure of announcing a DIWA Gold Award to the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 megazoom digital camera for its outstanding performance and innovative technologies.

The DiMAGE A2 is packed with useful features for making photography comfortable and successful, even under demanding shooting conditions. From the long list of such functions and features, it is enough to mention the camera's excellent wide-angle to telephoto 28-200 mm. (35 mm film equivalent) zoom lens and the ingenious Anti-Shake CCD image stabilizer. However, features alone do not qualify for any DIWA Award. Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 users may also expect outstanding image quality and a multitude of creative options, all packed in a compact and robust camera body. Its attractive design and ergonomic layout further enhance the public appeal and adds value to its reasonable price tag.

DIWA's test manager, Kai Thon, says: "The recent digital SLR price drop attracts many advanced amateur photographers. Yet, many of them, even professionals, enjoy the comfort of the all-in-one package provided by the DiMAGE A2. The fast, high quality 7x zoom lens alone gives the DiMAGE A2 more value for money than can be expected from any D-SLR camera. Then, add to this the benefit of a highly effective Anti-Shake technology. Still, its most important feature is the DIWA proof of professional performance".

2004 Best Digital Prosumer Camera
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2

Physical Views

The DiMAGE A2 compared in size to a standard CD.

The 8-megapixel Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom and DiMAGE A2.