This is a little look at
the user end of the digital camera experience.
I have used the Konica Minolta for three years before getting the Sony
A200 (second hand).
This article includes
the following sections:
Background
Summary
Comments
References
Samples
Background
The Minolta camera company began in 1928,
and has been producing both lenses and cameras since that time [1]. In 1985,
Minolta changed their system from the MC and MD mount lenses to AF lenses
[1].
Since 2006, Sony continues the AF system as the 'Alpha' system or 'alpha
mount', whilst Minolta carried on the tradition of improving on top
quality lenses with successful refinements, it seems so far, that Sony
has called in Carl Zeiss, Tamron, and re-runs of the old favourites.
About the camera bodies themselves. The
first thing you notice is that they appear very similar, except that the
KM has two dials, one for
M, S, and A, and the other for
White Balance. The
other point to notice is the menu system. This menu system seems to have
derived from the 1999 Minolta Alpha 7 (aka Dynax 7, Maxxum 7) film camera.
Minolta lenses were brilliant, but the AF bodies in the 1980's and until
1998 weren't, which is
perhaps why Canon and Nikon were able to edge ahead. It seems that this
1999 menu system is more intuitive and was the basis for the KM
7d and 5d digital cameras (Konica and Minolta merged in 2003). This menu system is retained, with
refinements in the Sony range. The KM 5d was first released in July 2005
[5], and the Sony A200 was released in January 2008 [4].
Why compare these two? Two reasons, one is
that both are available to me. The other is, is that they are very, very
similar to each other. Both have APS-C sensors [5], very similar
features, similar prices when new, both are of the same
pedigree, and it's only really mega pixel count and generational
difference that separates them. All other differences are deemed as
cosmetic.
The
Konica Minolta Alpha Sweet (aka: Dynax 5d, Maxxum 5d), with 18-70mm
kit lens.
This article will call it "the 5d"
Sony A200, with
Minolta 50mm 1.4 lens.
The Summary
Communities.
For more talk and about KM digital and Sony dslr cameras, join the
community at Dynax Digital.
With lenses.
This is a look at the mirror and mount. Both cameras are
compatible with AF, SAM, and SSM lenses [5]. So far, it seems the Sony A200 seems to be
much faster in focusing.
1.
Sony A200 with 70-300mm G at f7.1 can
be very shallow focus (not the bumble bees). This is an attribute of
the APS format.
2. Left: KM 5d; Right:
Sony A200.
2a. Showing the Minolta AF and (Sony) alpha
mount (of which are the same). In Japan, the Dynax / Maxxum series
was known as "Alpha", of which is the origin of the "alpha mount"
name given by Sony.
3.
A close up of the inside area near the
handgrip. The scratch marks are from finger nails, as this handgrip
seems too small for the previous owner and me.
The Sensor & Image Quality
The Sony A200 is a 10.2 mega pixel camera, whilst the 5d is a 6mp.
What you first notice when you view your images at full size on a
computer is the nuances of the lenses. On the 6mp 5d the Minolta 50mm
1.4 appears simply stunning and totally sharp. With the A200, you
see all your focusing errors, and you realise that you've got to sharpen
your skills when it comes to focusing.
4.
Sony A200, with Minolta 50mm 1.4
4a.
Same image but 100% cropped.
Using
The first thing I noticed on the A200, when in Manual mode, is the
aperture button that you hold down and adjust by moving the wheel.
The position on the A200 is a bit far from comfortable reach, and
the button is a bit flat, leaving you not with the confidence to
find and use it. You need to both look away from the view finder,
adjust your grip with the left, just so you can move your right hand
for that button. In contrast, on the 5d, it's rather bulbous and
easy to find and use without looking, see pictures 15 and 16 below.
5.
Sony A200, f1.7, 1/250, iso100, with
Minolta 50mm 1.4
The Hand Grip
I bought this A200 camera second hand, and so it may not be the best
example. However, on this particular camera, the right hand grip
seemed to creak and groan, especially when the weight of the
70-300mm G lens is on. It should be noted that this lens is not that
heavy, Minolta and Sony have heavier still.
6.
Sony A200 with small hand grip, and
small area for fingers
Histogram
The histogram
is a rather important tool for me, and probably for many others. On
the 5d, after taking a picture, you only had to press the up arrow
when viewing the picture, and the down arrow to leave the histogram
view. Unfortunately, the histogram viewing on the A200 is hidden in
the display button. In situ, with the 5d, it was quick and easy to
view the picture, view the histogram, and get on with photographing. However, with the A200,
the histogram button, being on the display button, you need to press
that, and then cycle through the preview menu, which isn't time efficient.
7.
Sony A200 with one dial on the top
plate.
7a.
Two dial on top of the
5d.
Battery life
I'm not sure yet, but it seems that the A200 seems to do well here.
Also, the display gives the battery life in %, as opposed the bars
on the 5d. A much better system from Sony.
8.
> KM Alpha
Sweet, with Minolta 28mm 2.8;
f5.6, 1/125, iso200
Compatibility
Of course the AF lenses are completely compatible, also the remote
release cable, eye-cup, cable-holder (on strap), and flashes.
However, the DC-in cable is not, not the batteries, nor are the
battery chargers. Adobe LightRoom, and PhotoShop have no problems
using the RAW files from these cameras. Unfortunately, it seems that
the 5d is a bit old for Gimp, and Gimp on Linux doesn't have a Raw
plugin for the A200.
9.
> A macro of a dragonfly on rice. Sony
A200, with Minolta 100mm 2.8 macro lens. F4, 1/250, iso100.
File Types
Both have JPEG and RAW files.
Unfortunately, the A200 adds an under score in front of file names
to indicate that the file is in Adobe 1998 colour space type, eg:
_DSC0000. What would be better is if it used DSE ('e' for 'embedded
colour space') or something similar, as for professional
practicality, you'd have to manually delete the underscore yourself
afterwards.
10.
> KM Alpha Sweet, with 75-300mm; F5.6,
1/200, iso400.
Street Cred'
Despite the quality of lenses, the Canikon crowd still don't view
the Sony brand as being serious, nor connected to the Minolta
heritage. In contrast, the Sony / Minolta crowd don't view the herd
err... the Canikon people as serious photographers either. However, for professional video cameras and studio
cameras, Sony is the only serious option for TV, documentary, and
movie
industries. Interestingly, they are now starting to adopt the
Minolta G standard lenses for video cameras. The G lenses are the top level lenses,
only Leica really, makes a lens competitive to the Minolta G's.
11. Comparing the on-board flashes.
Both have a GN12 (12m range at 100iso) [5], though the 5d is taller
and seems to have better clearance over longer lenses.
12.
13.
12 & 13. Sony A200 with Sony 70-300mm
G, f5.6, 1/250, iso200. Dancers performing on the street at the
Nagoya Domatsuri, 2009. When viewing at 100% some noise is
noticeable, despite being only iso200.
14. Sony A200 with
70-300mm G, f5.6, 1/60; Lee 3ND filter. Dancers performing on stage
at Nagoya Domatsuri, 2009.
15.
16.
17.
15. The
+/- button on the Konica Minolta Alpha Sweet used for adjusting the
aperture when in Manual mode is bulbous and easy to find and reach
when not looking.
16. The +/- button on the Sony A200 used for adjusting the aperture
when in Manual mode is flush and difficult to reach when not
looking.
17. Both
Alpha Sweet and A200 lack a pc sync for connecting to studio lights.
However the FS-1100 adapter can be used.
18.
19.
20.
18. The
battery bay can be opened and the battery can be removed when
mounted on a tripod.
19. The battery bay
cannot be opened, nor can the battery be replaced whilst mounted on
a tripod.
20. A
Japanese Cosmos taken on the Sony A200, with Sony 70-300mm G at
300mm, f7.1, 1/500, iso100.
Comments
Other than the sensor pixel count, they both
appear to be pretty much the same. The KM 5d seems a lot more solidly
built, whilst the A200 creaks and groans under the weight of the
70-300mm G lens, and the handgrip feels like there is some movement.
Personally, I prefer the height of the 5d flash, and the look of having
two dials on top. The histogram is much easier and quicker to access on
the 5d, and changing white balance similarly is quicker and easier.
Though, perhaps, having the second dial for iso would perhaps be more
practical. The +/- button, that's used to adjust the aperture in Manual
mode is too flat and out of reach on the A200, which feels more like a
down-grade from the 5d (see pictures 15 and 16 above). Triggering a
studio flash, in this case, Alien Bee 800, on the
A200 fails for only the first few shots in a session; some wobbling of
the fs-1100 adaptor gets it working, however there are no problems with
the 5d. The handgrip on the 5d contains the battery, which, as seen
above in pictures 18 and 19, make it easy for replacing when mounted on
a tripod, which to me, is a flaw in the Sony design for where the
battery is placed. Others have complained about the CF card is reversed
on the Sony models, and not as easy to remove in quick situations.
Money Talks:
In my opinion, both cameras produce images that are on par with the 7 series (KM d7d, and Sony A700), but
they have some less flexible features (see below), they are great value for
money. I got the A200 second hand when it was already ten months old, one and a half years after the
product release at one-third of the initial price. Ok, it doesn't hold
its financial value, but no camera body does, anyway. It's better to
invest in lenses, I think. My next buy? Will probably be a second hand
Sony A900 (I have a full-frame fetish), but this camera is great to keep
and would make a great and very capable backup camera.
Flexibility:
Both cameras have everything you'll need. If you've seen the Alpha 5 (aka
Dynax 5, Maxxum 5) film camera, then you can understand that all the
features you need are there, but hidden away in a terrible menu system. The only
three gripes I personally have with the A200 is that the histogram is hidden away
in the display menu, the White Balance is too, and both lack a pc-sync for plugging
in studio lights. But fortunately, Sony, like Minolta has a product for
that, you can buy an FS-1100 adapter for that anyway.
Quality Controls:
As mentioned, the right-hand grip tends the creak and groan under the
weight of a heavier lens. My right-hand middle finger nail scrapes the
body near where the lens is mounted, there just isn't enough room there.
This has not happened to me, but other Sony Alpha users have
accidentally broken the rear LCD screen [6]. These are apparently thin and
fragile, in contrast the the KM equivalents. Fortunately, Sony has a
product for that too, you can buy a screen protector; something that
loyal customers shouldn't have to buy from an equally loyal company, I
feel.
Final Rating:
Well, what does a number mean, anyway? I've learnt it's limitations, its
weaknesses and strengths, and feel more confident in knowing what it's
capable of. You can expect to get stunning images from the A200, of course
like all things, when used well.
Epilogue:
The reason for me changing from the 5d to the A200 was a very practical
one, the Anti-Shake system on the 5d began to fail. Sometimes it works,
but it cannot be relied upon now, and during a shoot, it will fail. It
is a first generation technology, but I did expect it to survive for
more than three years. In contrast, my film camera became my main camera
for when I shot at a festival prior to me getting the A200, and that
film camera has so far survived for 16 years. So, before your next
purchase, I urge you to consider the cost of the technology, it's years
in development, and its likely lifespan, just to be sure you get your
money's worth.
< Japanese
Fishing boats at New Year, decorated with the names of the boats or their
owners. Konica Minolta Alpha Sweet
(aka, Dynax 5d), with Minolta 28mm 2.8 lens. F7.1, 1/200, iso100.
< A Japanese
amusement park at dawn. F10, 1/2, iso100. Minolta 28mm 2.8, on Konica
Minolta Alpha Sweet (aka, Dynax 5d).
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