Note on image processing:

Because the DiMAGE A2 can be used in raw without to much waiting for the data to be written to the card (not true for all the other 8MP digicams we tested so far) we work mostly using raw and use a version of Camera Raw 2.2 for Photoshop CS for conversion.

Most images are also sharpened using Simple Sharpening.

The DiMAGEA2 is back to Konica Minolta.

Summary

If we would select from the current 8MP digicam crop we would select the A2 for our use. Why?

• Highest level of usability
• Using raw files with this camera is ok (with the Nikon 8700, Sony 828 and Olympus 8080 it is a pain. The Canon Pro 1 is also still much slower)
• Image quality is good (although we think that the Pro 1 and 8700 have a slight edge, we did not use the 8080 to make final judgments)

Konica Minolta has an innovative winner here.

Test object

Note: we know that this shot has blown out highlights (which we otherwise always avoid). Unfortunately the building was partially in sun and we wanted only to check the noise in the window which was in the shadow.

Images were processed in ACR 2.2 with color noise removal set to 25 and sharpened (we would normally use a sharpening variant that uses an edge mask but in this case the sharpening brings out the noise).

ISO 64

ISO 100

ISO 200

ISO 400

Overall the images at ISO 64/100 are quite ok, the ISO200 shot just usable and at ISO 400 you would need a tool like Noise Ninja to reduce the noise.

Because the A2 is the only 8MP digicam that makes working with raw files fun (all the other cameras slow down the photography way to much, the next best is the Canon Pro1) Currently we know three options to work with A2 raw files:

DiMAGE Viewer (free with the camera)

This raw converter is way to slow to work with. So we did not spend a lot of time with it.

Adobe Camera Raw 2.2

This is the standard raw converter we use for the A2. But some reported "zig-zag color banding in the shadows" with the new version 2.2 (not there in 2.1).

Dalibor's MRWFormat

Dalibor's MRWFormat

It always surprises me what single talented people can do. Dalibor's raw converter is a Photoshop (works also in PS Elements 2.0) plugin. MRWFormat does a good job in my opinion. With version older than 1.6 there were some ugly artifacts with clipped (overexposed) highlights: they turned pink. Dalibor added a highlight fix for that in his latest version 1.6.

Note: Remember if you overexpose and data get clipped any raw converter can make only a guess about colors. Try to avoid any high contrast scenes and avoid overexposure as much as you can. The A2's live histogram is a great help to get the exposure right.

MRWFormat is quite fast and allows great control on your image. A unique feature is the possibility to select the interpolation algorithm used. You have to be aware that the image preview is not color managed. That means you see different colors later in Photoshop.

With some interpolation algorithms MRWFormat is fully functional even in the free demo version and the full version is easily worth its $20. We think MRWFormat is essential to every A2 user that plans to use raw files.

Being able to use raw files with the A2 is a very strong argument in favor of this camera compared to all the other 8MP digicams.

Note: Due to a limitation in Photoshop you can only use one raw file format plugin for the A2 at any time (either ACR or MRWFormat). If you want to use ACR you can either use "Open as" and select Camera Raw or disable MRWFormat by renaming it to ~MRWFormat.

We really like the handling of the Sony F828 but it failed big time in the the following areas:

- Purple fringing
- Poor EVF
- Very poor handling with raw files

Our first impression of the A2 is that although it is much smaller it handles extremely well. We won't praise the EVF now (EVFs are not nearly in the league of good optical viewfinders yet) but the A2's is much better than the EVF of the F828. This is also the first 8MP digicam we used that handles raw files very well due to a good write buffer implementation. From all the 8MP digicams (Nikon 8700, Canon Pro1, Sony F828 and we also know the Olympus 8080 a bit) the A2 has clearly the best feel and handling.

First test shots

Note: All shots from raw (converted in ACR 2.2) , sharpened with Simple Sharpening and some are cropped and corrected for perspective in Photoshop.

Los Gatos Ristorante

Crop at 100% magnification

Color is fine and detail ok. We don't use resolution charts but think that the images may be slightly softer than the Canon Pro1 or Nikon 8700 photos. But we also have to get used to the A2 autofocus system. Overall the A2 did just fine.

This image shows some slight chromatic aberration (CA)

Preview at 200% magnification (not sharpened)

You realize the purple/green fringing. This is the result of minor lens faults. They are hard to correct for a 7x zoom and if at this low level they are no big deal.

But because we shot raw we can use ACR's CA removal tool:

CA removal settings in ACR 2.2

Preview at 200% magnification after correction (not sharpened)

Note: CA depends on the focal length of the lens. This means you cannot reuse these settings at a different focal length.

So far we only found CA with the A2 and not the extensive purple fringing like on the F828 which even showed up in the center of the image.

Los Gatos Antique Store

Crop at 100% magnification

The first round with the A2 was more fun than using any of the other 8MP cameras. There is not only a lot of technology innovation in this camera like:

• Anti Shake
• High resolution EVF

but also a lot of good engineering towards usability:

• Two scroll wheels for aperture and shutter speed (old hat of course for digital SLRs)
• Swivel viewfinder
• Good feeling in our hands even at that small form factor
• Automatic switch viewfinder/LCD
• Fast raw file handling

We are at a good start here.

Just received today a review sample of the Dimage A2.

Our very initial test shots and handling showed that the A2 is very well thought out for good handling (we don't even have a manual). Also the first 8MP digicam that can be used in raw and still handles reasonable fast.

Digital Outback Camera Evaluation Chart Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2

Get a different perspective from these other reviews

Other Reviews

• Phil Askey
• Michael Reichmann
• Imaging Resource's review of the Konica Minolta A2
  (Also visit Imaging Resource for reviews of other Konica Minolta Digital Cameras)