Minolta Announce DiMAGE A1
Minolta have today announced 4 new digital cameras and a new flash unit.
The first new camera is the 5 megapixel DiMAGE A1, which improves upon the DiMAGE 7 series of digital cameras.
“Minolta introduces its next generation SLR-type digital camera, the DiMAGE A1. Abstracting the best features from the DiMAGE 7 series, the DiMAGE A1 was re-designed for today’s digital photographer. With a 5 megapixel display and a 7X optical zoom, equivalent to a 28 - 200mm 35mm zoom lens, the DiMAGE offers quality and versatility in a compact, convenient package. Offering CxProcess II, the latest image-processing technology, this camera providing the tools to fully capture the power of digital imaging. “
The new Anti-shake function minimizes the effect of camera shake, a slight blurring of the image when the camera is handheld, to provide the sharpest image possible. The Anti-shake system is valuable when shooting at long focal lengths or in low-light conditions without a tripod. This allows the camera to be handheld with exposures approximately eight times longer than usual. When using the camera at the telephoto setting, approximately 90% of the images recorded will be sharp with a shutter speed of 1/25s.
To quote Phil Askey of DPReview “The DiMAGE A1 is (as far as I know) the only digital camera to implement image stabilization (Minolta call it ‘Anti-Shake’) by mounting the CCD sensor on a movable platform controlled by two actuators (x and y axis). The system works by analyzing input from motion detectors in the camera body and producing an inverse movement in the CCD. The system can be disabled (easily by pressing a very prominent button on the rear of the camera) and can also detect a panning movement and only compensate for movement on the opposite axis.”
The DiMAGE A1 has the world’s fastest AF speed among 5-megapixel SLR-type digital cameras with a non-interchangeable 5x or greater optical zoom. With continuous AF, the DiMAGE A1 uses the new 3-D Predictive Focus Control to track the subject from the time when the shutter-release button is pressed until the exposure is made, all while ensuring optimal focus. This new predictive focus control continually follows the subject through 3D space to not only provide the sharpest images possible, but to also reduce focusing time to catch the perfect moment.
The DiMAGE A1 has an incredible top shutter speed of 1/16,000 of a second. This is not only an advantage in sport photography, but also gives greater control over depth of field in brightly lit environs by allowing the entire aperture range to be used. In low-light conditions, shutter speeds up to 30 seconds can be selected as well as thirty-second bulb exposures.
The 5.3 megapixel resolution of the CCD will produce 32.5 X 43.3 cm 150dpi prints or 16.3 X 21.7 cm photo-quality prints, thereby printing sizes larger than both A3 and A5, respectively.
The redesigned Digital Hyper Viewfinder gives the camera the same feel as an SLR. It can be tilted between 0? and 90? for comfortable shooting at low angles or in confined spaces. The viewfinder has a new precision 235,000-pixel TFT monitor, and as the viewfinder LCD is shielded, it makes the perfect tool when working under bright light.
The DiMAGE A1’s real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured. Displayed with the live image, the histogram allows the subject brightness and contrast to be evaluated to optimize the camera’s exposure and contrast controls. The luminance distribution of recorded images can be checked with a playback histogram.
Price and availability are still to be announced.
Website: Minolta Press Release
Website: DPReview - DiMAGE A1 Preview