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Featuring the world's fastest AF speed among 5-megapixel SLR-type digital
cameras*, a fast built-in f/2.8-3.5 7x optical zoom lens, a top shutter
speed of 1/16,000 of a second, dual-focal macro system, extra-fine
image-quality option, Minolta's new CxProcess II and 3-D Predictive Focus
Control, Subject Tracking AF, Anti-shake function, and compatibility with
portable and studio flash systems, the Minolta Dimage A1 exploits the power
of digital imaging by providing the tools photographers need to express
their creativity and solve visual problems. In addition, Minolta has also
introduced new remote imaging software for use with the Dimage A1, the new
Dimage Capture software, for enhanced creative capabilities.
The new Dimage A1 is built around a high-precision electro-optical system
designed to maximize image quality. The system starts with a 5.3 megapixel
2/3-type progressive primary-color CCD with 5.0 million effective pixels for
fine high-resolution images. The Dimage A1 uses 14-bit A/D conversion to
record the richness and infinite subtleties of light.
The Minolta Dimage A1's fast f2.8-f3.5 7x optical zoom lens is an
advanced apochromatic (APO) lens 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 is equivalent to
a 28mm to 200mm 35mm zoom lens. The Dimage A1 zoom has a dual-focal macro
system that allows the lens to be set at the wide-angle or telephoto
position to take advantage of different focal lengths.
For photographers who demand high-quality images, new image-quality and
image-size settings have been added to the Minolta Dimage A1. The extra-fine
image-quality option produces a high-quality JPEG file with little
compression or loss of detail. And the new 2080 x 1560 image size gives
photographers the ability to switch between 5 megapixel, 3 megapixel, and 2
megapixel images smoothly.
Featuring continuous AF, the Minolta Dimage A1 uses Minolta's new 3-D
Predictive Focus Control to track the subject from when the shutter-release
button is pressed all the way down until the exposure is made ensuring
optimum focus. Subject Tracking AF uses the 3-D Predictive Focus Control
system to lock on to and track a subject as it moves through the frame. And,
Minolta's Flex Focus Point adds unlimited versatility to the Dimage A1's AF
system. Flex Focus Point is a single crosshair sensor that can be placed
anywhere within the field of view. With the camera on a tripod,
photographers simply use the four-way key of the controller to position the
Flex Focus Point on the subject; the AF system will use that point for each
exposure.
The Dimage A1 incorporates Direct Manual Focus (DMF). After the AF system
has focused and locked on the subject, the focus can be fine-tuned manually.
The camera's new Flex Digital Magnifier (FDM) can enlarge a section of the
live image by two or eight times so sharpness can be judged in manual focus
or when using DMF.
This is Minolta's first digital camera to employ CxProcess II, Minolta's
new image-processing technology. CxProcess II controls the essential image
qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise.
The camera's 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 continuous-advance drive modes make
it possible to record action as it unfolds. Three JPEG or five 5-megapixel
RAW images can be captured at a rate of 2 frames per second. And, at the
heart of the Dimage A1 is a new high-speed image-processing LSI for
increased performance. Power consumption has also been greatly reduced. |
