Minolta Dimage F200 Digital camera - Indigo [4Mp, 3x Optical]

I've owned Minolta F200 as my second digital camera and used it for three months. Initially, the reasons I have bought this camera are its features, its look and the price compared to what you'd get from the camera.

Camera is featured with 3 shooting modes: Auto, Multi-function and Video. The Auto mode allows me to select programmed selections: macro, portrait, sports, landscape, sunset and night portrait. Each program optimizes to produce great images according to different conditions. So the control of the camera is pretty simple in the Auto Mode.

In the Multi-function Mode, it may take time to explore all the functions it offers. Once I have known where those functions are located, shooting in this mode is usually my first choice. The features allow users to adjust performance of the camera as many things as they want. One thing I found missing is multiple frame shooting which allow camera to take multiple frames in a second. Nonetheless, it is compensated by the continuous advance to take multiple images when the shutter release button is pressed and held; also bracketing to take a series of three images with difference exposures.

Last mode of shooting is Video mode with sound. It should be emphasized that in video mode you can record movie as long as the available space left in the memory card.

Ergonomically, the camera is possible to handle in one hand. In reality two-hand holding is required to prevent the camera shakes. All buttons, zoom lever, battery and card slots are well designed. On the top, data panel clearly displays status of the camera. Sometimes I am able to take photos without the use of LCD to see status of the camera. The camera may look dull to some people, though, I like a simply rectangular aluminum body with some chrome bits. This body design will last long.

Menu control is simple to access with the buttons on the back of camera. In the Multi-function mode, function menus allow users to control over photo shooting.

Importantly, picture quality is considered great for most of the time. Images are excellent especially for outdoor shooting. I think this is because of the quality of Minolta GT lens. 4x digital zoom is quite handy and able to produce pleasing results.
Zooming is slightly slow but focusing is fast and accurate in every focus modes. The subject tracking AF mode is impressive. It should be noted that this feature is provided in few models in the market.
Flash power is enough to cover normal shooting ranges. Alternatively, the power of flash could be adjusted by flash compensation. Similarly when using exposure compensation, the exposure may be simply adjusted. Anyhow, you rarely need to adjust them.

In my view, negative points of this camera do not disappoint my purchase. They, however, are as follows. The start up time is a bit slow which possibly cause you to miss a good shot.
I completely agree that camera is infamous for consuming batteries. However, I am using few sets of 2200 mAh rechargeable batteries with a quick charger. They last long enough for normal use of course with LCD.
Last thing I have come across is that volume in the video mode is a bit quiet, especially when playing back in the camera. I guess it is because a small speaker on the top of the camera.
The above negative points could be ignored and the favorable aspects could be enhanced after Amazon has dropped the price of this camera down to 229.99 GBP, which is a lot cheaper than what I paid for mine. At that time this camera was not available here.

In brief, if you are being considered to get 4mp camera, Minolta F200 could be a competitive choice. Some other unique features of this camera I'd like to mention at the end are video output to display images on a television, direct video to record movies to a video deck (compatible with the NTSC and PAL) and voice memo to record audio into a memory card. As an owner of this camera, I highly recommend this camera to anyone who like small compact with fully featured camera. At this current price, I wish I need two digital cameras.

Despite of the lack of an AF-assist lamp, the flash is quite strong! I don't really need that lamp. On my S400 the camera took the same quality photos without the lamp as with the lamp.

The photos are REAL sharp! I made comparisons between F200 and S400 photo qualities:
- F200 is much sharper and detailed
- The colours on F200 are more natural then the ones on the S400
- However, S400 took a bit better pictures in low-light. But the F200 is still better than average. Much better than the Sony P-series.

I was afraid from the slowness of the lens. Doesn't really a matter, believe me! It is acceptable, don't let you fooled by some negative reviews about how slow the F200 is. This is NOT THAT BIG PROBLEM, believe me.

Reviewing images is fast and a pleasure.
Slideshow has many settings, it is very useful if you plug it onto the TV.
I can record about 15-20 mins at the 320 res. and 40-45 mins at the 160 res. movies on my 256 Mbyte SD-Card. A REAL PLEASURE!

One of the big problems was that the F100 get turned on accidentally. This is not with the F200. It's build quality is strong as it can be!

All in all: a great camera, I just simply cannot give it a lower mark than a five.
It's not only good for point & shooters, it is a super choice for serious amateurs also since it has aperture, shutter priorities, manual white balance and EVERYTHING.

A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CAMERA!
The price is low, I think this is the BEST BUY compact camera of 2003!

UPDATE 2003.10.10.:
Oh, I almost forgot something: buy a few sets of batteries and take it with you fully charged, because this little toy simply eats 'em up two by two...... :))
Simply forget the automatic mode indoors. If you set the manual (multi-function) mode carefully, you'll get amazing shots under low-light, despite of the lack of an AF-assist lamp and therefore a focus-lock. Try it yourself! I rarely use the automatic mode any more, only outdoors.

The SD memory cards can also be used in PDAs like those made by Palm, useful if you have several gadgets.

Negative points, it does get through the batteries really fast. It is a bit slow to start up and shutter delay is noticeable, but I've never tried any fast action shots.The lens is a bit slow to retract when you switch off.
The software provided is pretty naff, but I've rarely had to do anything more than crop or resize images (lots of software out there can do that).

Mine has the silver body, the indigo ones look a bit strange IMHO.
Excellent value for money at the new lower price, but allow for cost of 4 NiMh AAs and a recharger when comparing prices with other makes.