Home > Consumer Reviews > Minolta Dimage X 2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Ever since the DiMage X came out I've wanted to get one but I waited until the price dropped. I got one about a month ago in February. I really like the unique design and its compact size. Here are some of the pros and cons in my opinion. Lets start with the cons.

CONs:
- Takes a while to switch from one shooting mode to another (ex: from single shot to movie mode). It is a lot easier on the sony DSC series cameras.

- I have gotten use to the small size and learned quickly to becareful about not covering the lens with my finger. However, when someone else is taking a picture for me, most of the time their finger blocks a portion of the lens.

- You can't preview anything if you're taking a picture in low light conditions. I like how some Sony's shine an orange light before you take the shot so you see what you're taking.

- Menu isn't hard to learn but isn't the most efficient style I've seen.

Now for the PROs:

- I really really like the design of Dimage X. Very modern and unique and just plain cool.

- Very small in size and light weight. Everywhere I go its always in my pocket.

- Amazingly good zoom (3x optical) for such a small camera. And plus the internal zoom design allows the small camera to stay small all the time.

- The battery life is very good. I always have the LCD screen on when I use the camera and I haven't had the battery run out on me.

- Movie mode records images as well as sound. Also theres a speaker for you to preview the movie with sound.

- Theres a motorized metal lens cover that protects your lens. Its really fun to watch the lens cover go down to reveal the lens when you turn the camera on and also when it goes back up when you turn it off. (You'll see what I'm talking about after you get the camera)

- Image quality in my opinion is more than enough for my needs. I mainly use the pictures for internet use and occasionally print out the pictures on photo paper. 2.11 mega pixels is more than enough if those are your intentions also.

- The camera powers up and is ready to take a picture almost immediately after you turn it on. This is a plus for a camera you're always carrying around.

- Theres not a big lag between taking shots, compared to the Canon s200.

I'm sure theres plenty more Pro's but I'm still learning about the camera. The camera always turns curious heads every time I take it out. So besides the cons I mentioned above, which really arent too big of a deal, this is the perfect camera for me.

I had the Nikon,
I have the DIMAGE 7 (for Studio shot 5.1mb)
I got the DimageX to carry every day with me!
I got the 128mb card 2 batteries and I went to Europe
France Italia without my computer. Got 600 photos!
The Best of the best
However It did stop working...
I sent it back and few days later I got it back or a new ONE!?!
The quality is superbe! Using image -adjust-autolevel in Photoshop and you cannot see the difference!!!
--For the one not happy with the color JUST sent it back to get it fixed!---
Did I tell you that 4 of my friends are today the owner of one as well?
Love it

When I was going to buy my Dimage X in the US I was afraid because in the minolta web page they said you could not use the camera abroad. This is absolute nonsense. The only country where I have used my Dimage X (US bought - half the price than in Europe), is Spain, and it works fine. The only "problem" you need to solve is finding a plug adaptor for the charger, since it will not fit in most of the spanish plugs. And this will happen in any other european country (UK, Ireland...) No problem at all with the voltage.

Regarding the camera I am really satisfied with it. It is not only slim, quick and reliable, but ultra-cool and trendy (and takes good pictures too :-). You just need an extra battery, and at least a 64 MB SD Card. A case is also an option if you dont want to carry it in your pocket. It is definetely a GO!

This is such a nice little camera and I really like it but there's one bug that may be the reason I return it. It depends if I can learn to live with it or not.

*You cannot set the flash to be off by default.*

Once you turn the camera off, it defaults back to 'auto flash' mode. Personally I only ever use the flash every once in a while and this is so annoying. I Prefer somewhat dark photos over those harsh flash lit ones every time. So the "ultra fast start up" that Minolta touts becomes moot if you have to click 3 or more times just to get the flash not to go off.

Also, the menu interface, like all digital cameras for some reason, is badly designed, requiring two hands to operate. Often it is not clear what you have selected because, for example, if you have only two choices and your selection only changes colour it is unclear which colour represents 'selected' Does the grey mean it's selected or does the pink?

Having said that, it's very very small and takes good photos.

One other comment - the USB drivers failed to load with my Windows 2000 Professional system. Other reviewers complained about the same problem with Windows 98. But then I ran the hardware wizard and told it to use the generic Microsoft Mass Storage Device driver instead of the one Minolta supplied on a CD - and it worked perfectly.