Minolta Dimage Xi 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Minolta Dimage Xi 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: Konica Minolta
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The DiMAGE Xi is the most compact 3.2-megapixel camera with 3X optical zoom in the world. Amazingly light, too. You can have it on you at all times, in a shirt or pants pocket. It's never been easier to make high-quality digital photography a part of your lifestyle. Turn the power switch on, and you're ready to shoot in just 1.2 seconds. That's the fastest startup time of any digital camera featuring optical zoom. With the DiMAGE Xi, important moments will never pass you by.Optical zoom gets you closer to distant subjects while maintaining the camera's highest level of quality. What's more, Minolta's innovative optics keeps it slim at all times - there's no protruding zoom lens, no matter which magnification you're shooting at. Optical zoom is adjusted internally, so it's very quick as well. And the 4X digital zoom feature lets you shift seamlessly into a total range of 12X zoom. If you see something that demands a close-up, bring the camera as close as 25cm to the subject for a crisp, detailed shot. You can capture this type of image anytime you want, without having to switch modes. Flexible focusing is another advantage. If your picture looks a little crowded, use Spot AF to focus on a single subject in the center of the picture frame. At other times, Wide AF keeps the whole frame in sharp focus. Sounds like a lot for a unit so small and light? You bet. But Minolta's innovative optics gives you more power in less size. Discover the ideal camera for an active lifestyle. And enjoy it anytime, anywhere!
Amazon.com Product Description
Early Adopters Pick: November 2002. The world's smallest, lightest 3.2-megapixel camera, with a revolutionary folded 3x optical zoom lens.

By incorporating a clever internal zoom lens, developing a slim new rechargeable battery, and using diminutive SD memory cards, Minolta's Dimage Xi is truly pocket-sized. The Dimage Xi features a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor--an improvement over the 2-megapixel Dimage X--and a 3x optical zoom. Besides increased resolution, the Dimage Xi has several other enhancements, including selectable ISO settings, optional date imprinting, spot autofocus (AF), an improved antireflection LCD, and automatic e-mail file copy creation.

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage Xi has a 3-megapixel sensor with a maximum resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, enough detail for photos from 4 by 6 inches to 11 by 14 inches. It also features a 3x optical zoom (equivalent to a 37-111mm on a 35mm camera) and a 4x digital zoom for a total 12x zoom.

This lens employs five aspheric elements (including two double-sided) to ensure sharp, contrast-rich images at all focal lengths. In spite of its compact dimensions, the optical zoom has a fast, maximum aperture of f2.8-f3.6 (wide to telephoto), which allows images to be captured in low light with little noise.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on stamp-size Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMediaCard memory cards. The Dimage Xi comes with a 16 MB SD card. Images can be transferred to your Mac or PC via USB, and the included audio-visual cable lets you view images and film clips on your home TV.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the Dimage Xi captures 320 x 240 pixel video (with audio) for up to 35 seconds at 15 frames per second. The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family.

More Features
The Dimage Xi's most unusual feature is its internal zoom lens. While most digital cameras are built like their film counterparts--with a telescoping zoom lens protruding from the front--the lens assembly in the Dimage Xi is arranged vertically inside the camera, with the sensor at the very bottom, like a periscope in a submarine. This layout allows for a slim camera with a full 3x optical zoom. In addition, startup times are faster, since you don't have to wait for the lens to extend before shooting.

Other features include:

Audio caption recording of up to 15 seconds
1.5-inch TFT LCD screen
Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, night portrait

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery NP-200 (included). It measures 3.3 by 2.8 by 0.8 inches and weighs 4.6 ounces. This package includes the Dimage Xi digital camera, battery and battery charger, USB and AV cables, hand strap, and Dimage software and viewer CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Minolta Dimage Xi 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Average customer rating:

Went through the wash
Minolta has made the best little point and shoot ever!
Best Daytime pictures
So reliable.. works even after a wash cycle !!!
Nice camera, but keep it away from sand and dirt

Minolta Dimage Xi 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Konica Minolta
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Konica Minolta Deluxe Case for Dimage X, Xi, XG, X31, X50 & X60 Digital Cameras
Minolta NSDG100 Metal Neck Chain Strap for Dimage XG, X20, Xi, Xt, X, X31, X50 & X60 Digital Cameras
Minolta Casual Case for Dimage XG, X20, Xi, X, Xt, X31 & X50 Digital Cameras
SimpleTech 256 MB Secure Digital Card (STI-SD/256)
Minolta USB-500 Cable for Dimage A1, A2, Xi, X, XG, X20, X31, F300, F100, Z1 & Z2 Digital Cameras

Product Features:

3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
3x optical plus 4x digital (12x total) zoom lens with autofocus
Included 16 MB Secure Digital (SD) card
Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included

ASIN: B00006RYUX

Product Description

The DiMAGE Xi is the most compact 3.2-megapixel camera with 3X optical zoom in the world. Amazingly light, too. You can have it on you at all times, in a shirt or pants pocket. It's never been easier to make high-quality digital photography a part of your lifestyle. Turn the power switch on, and you're ready to shoot in just 1.2 seconds. That's the fastest startup time of any digital camera featuring optical zoom. With the DiMAGE Xi, important moments will never pass you by.Optical zoom gets you closer to distant subjects while maintaining the camera's highest level of quality. What's more, Minolta's innovative optics keeps it slim at all times - there's no protruding zoom lens, no matter which magnification you're shooting at. Optical zoom is adjusted internally, so it's very quick as well. And the 4X digital zoom feature lets you shift seamlessly into a total range of 12X zoom. If you see something that demands a close-up, bring the camera as close as 25cm to the subject for a crisp, detailed shot. You can capture this type of image anytime you want, without having to switch modes. Flexible focusing is another advantage. If your picture looks a little crowded, use Spot AF to focus on a single subject in the center of the picture frame. At other times, Wide AF keeps the whole frame in sharp focus. Sounds like a lot for a unit so small and light? You bet. But Minolta's innovative optics gives you more power in less size. Discover the ideal camera for an active lifestyle. And enjoy it anytime, anywhere!

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick: November 2002. The world's smallest, lightest 3.2-megapixel camera, with a revolutionary folded 3x optical zoom lens.

Other features include:

Audio caption recording of up to 15 seconds
1.5-inch TFT LCD screen
Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, night portrait

Customer Reviews:

Went through the wash.......2005-03-06

Great camera. Easy to use, easy to retrieve pictures (no software needed! just drag and drop), and very compact.

So compact that I left it in my pocket and it went through the washer and dryer... doesn't work anymore (though I suspect its only the battery).

oh, btw: Battery life is lacking.

Minolta has made the best little point and shoot ever!.......2004-03-29

I was looking for a small camera that I could shove in a pocket and take wherever I went so that if a photo oportunity came about, I would have a camera ready. I was low on money, and found this camera refurbished. I read lots of reviews and compared this camera to other cameras with the same features. Buying this camera is definitely not a mistake! I have the basic case and an extra battery, and since the batteries only take about an hour and a half to charge I always have one ready when the battery in the camera dies (Which is usually after a full day of continuous photography).
The camera is incredible rugged, I have dropped it on more than one occasion, and it still works. Whether I am in school, at home, or pretty much anywhere, this I know that I am sure to get a good picture.
Now to adress some of the problems that people say this camera has:
1. anemic flash - Although the flash is a little wimpy, when you use it within about 12 feet of your subject it is fine.
2. picture quality - the picture quality is as good as any 3.2 megapixel camera. It just depends what setting you have it on. I always keep mine of the largest picture and fine quality(next level below tiff). If you are complaining about image quality, get a film camera, and wait until digital cameras get better. Film is the equivalent of about 15-20 megapixels.
3. 16 megabyte card - duh, you can't get many pictures on here that are even somewhat decent in quality. No matter what camera you buy, you will still have to buy a larger card if you want a good amount of pictures. I have a 256 megabyte card that holds 160 pictures on fine and about 38 in tiff mode.
4. Finger in the picture - yeah, I agree that if you have big hands this can become a problem. The best way to hold this camera, is to use the controls and take the picture with your right hand and hold the bottom left hand corner of the camera with your left hand to steady it.
5. this camera is not for professionals - I agree. If you want all the controls of a manually controlled camera, keep looking, however, the autofocus does do a nice job, and I don't understand why a camera with more things to adjust would be better for snapshots and and active lifestyle.
All in all, this camera is truly one of the most handy electronic gadgets that I can think of and I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA TO ANYONE.

Best Daytime pictures.......2004-02-25

Overall this camera takes very good pictures and it is very compact. The only downside if any is when taking pictures in low light. Using flash the image is slightly underexposed and clor balance slightly off(can be easily corrected digitally later). In low light there is some noise at max resolution. If the image size is reduced to 2MP this noise is not seen but it reduces the resolution.
Overall very satisfied with the camera. I have also used a1000mA AC adapter at 4.5V to power it and it works fine.

So reliable.. works even after a wash cycle !!!.......2003-09-14

Believe it or not.. I left the camera in the pocket of my shorts (it is soooo compact), and sent it through the complete wash cycle int he washer. To my complete amazement, the camera (including the battery and memory card) worked perfectly (after I let it dry for a day).

Nice camera, but keep it away from sand and dirt.......2003-09-13

As another reviewer already noted, this camera is easily damaged by sand. Its much touted "internal folded zoom lens" has a number of small plastic gears that are exposed internally in its aluminum case. The case is not well sealed, so sand can get in there easily. And a few grains is all that takes to hose it. I took mine on my last vacation, and although I never actually took it to beach, a few sand specks in my pocket made their way into the camera. Took it apart and used compressed air to try to clean it, but no luck. What is the point of a miniature camera that must be stored in a hermetic case or bag?

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