Konica
made several ultra compacts in different lines. The non-zoom optics are
all moderate wide angles of 35mm focal length. Only the Big Mini F
opens up to F2.8. As it is also the smallest of the Konicas, it's the
most expensive. The A4 is much cheaper, so it's a good alternative. And
then there is the Lexio 70. It goes from 28 to 70mm and it has
impressing data at the wide end: F3.4. The Konica A4 was released in
1989. It's the predecessor of the other lines. Its main features are:
35mm F3.5 Konica lens, 4 elements in 4 groups, autofocus with focus lock, min. focus 0,6m, 0,35 - 0,6m in close focus mode Electronic shutter, 1/3-1/500 Size 117x63x36, Weight 193 gr. without battery 50-3200
ISO, automatic DX coding, self-timer, automatic film advance
Camera
front closed and bottom. Tripod socket. Takes a CR123 battery.
Camera
back. On top: Shutter
release, close focus setting and on/off button. Viewer with parallax lines. LCD
screen, mode button. Film window.
Camera front open. The lens only moves out a little. Flash
guide number ~16 (!) (m/ISO 100). Back open. The film leader is safely engaged when you close the back. The camera needs a CR2025 back-up battery.
This
camera is easy to use, push the on/off button, the cover opens and it's ready.
Autofocus is responsive and works well. Putting a film is easy as well, drop the filn, tear the film leader up to the mark and that's it. The
camera winds it automatically. It has few manual settings if needed, the menu is very easy to access on a LCD screen. Auto
flash setting at start, which is the case with most ultra compacts. This camera seems a bit noisier to me than others.
It's a basic point and shoot camera
with a good, moderate wide angle lens, good picture quality, in a very small pocketable body.
