Exceptional control for a compact digital camera

Author's Rating:

Pros: SLR like feel and results. Anti shake feature and 7x quality optics

Cons: Poor AF in low light, noisy in high ISO settings.

The Bottom Line: 
Recommended for the enthusiast SLR like performance without the size and cost

Author's Review
Looking to upgrade from a 4 meg 4 x zoom (Minolta S404) compact to something that would offer the greater creative control (mainly for landscape photography) and improved optics / zoom range that I use to enjoy with an SLR nearly 20 years ago. However as a keen walker I wanted something that was not unduly bulky or heavy i.e. none digital SLR.

After much research opted for the KM A200. A week’s holiday in Scotland gave me a good introduction to its capabilities. Ergonomics are excellent, the design feels like a small SLR - light but solid design. The manually operated 7 x zoom lens is a class above the slow motor powered design that none SLR users are normally expected to endure - you can frame the image in a couple of seconds and again the feel is more SLR like than compact digital camera. The anti-shake allowed me to take picture at speeds as low as 1/10 second without blur - so no need to carry a tripod!. Picture quality is fine from the Auto function but for best results get your head around the Aperture and Shutter priority modes. This think can rival the results of products costing twice the price – and yes I have used them!

The disappointing news relates to the slow AF in low light, image noise above ISO 200, plastic construction of the lens body and the average results from the macro. Also worth mentioning that manual focus is near impossible via the electronic viewfinder! But overall this camera is great fun and most unlikely to disappoint.