Konica Minolta DiMAGE Xt 3.2 Megapixel Compact Camera

I bought this camera from dabs.com...

Strengths: Small, simple, battery life, movie mode, robust

Weakness: No case included in package, seems heavier than my previous camera but this one is metal my old one was plastic, delay after pressing button to take photo

I bought this camera from dabs.com in the UK for £163, I had a choice of either the Xt or the Xg and I went for the Xt because it cost more. I then found out the Xg was newer and got a little worried, although it all turned out good in the end. The Xt and Xg really just seem to offer different features and the Xt is more geared towards what I wanted to do. With the Xt you get a smaller screen...
Read Full Review

I bought this camera from dabs.com in the UK for £163, I had a choice of either the Xt or the Xg and I went for the Xt because it cost more. I then found out the Xg was newer and got a little worried, although it all turned out good in the end.

The Xt and Xg really just seem to offer different features and the Xt is more geared towards what I wanted to do. With the Xt you get a smaller screen but it has the advantage of being higher quality than the one on the Xg. The Xg does away with TIFF support, the AV access, desktop charger etc and replaces them with limited image editing built in, that I would certainly never use.

The only advantage the Xg would give is 30fps movies rather than 15fps movies, but hey this is a *stills* camera, the video thing is just a very nice and very useable gimmick.

I've taken my camera out on the piss twice so far and its performed good, the only problems I have with it are:

1) Sometimes the camera takes the photo 1-2 secs after pressing the shutter button in low light, which means your drunken subjects have moved by this time. But I think this is just me noticing the delay more as my old digital camera was really simple.

2) My paranoia about smashing the LCD or breaking the lens cover shutter, or dropping it and breaking the zoom mechanics. It's quite a complex camera (although I think they all are nowadays) unlike my old camera which was so simple if I dropped it it was very unlikely to break. Just that feeling of "this camera really is going to break as soon as the warranty wares out isn't it?"

I've yet to try recording a long video (on a bigger card), although I have found that on the included 16mb card that movie mode cuts off (i.e. reaches the max file size) at around 10 - 12 MB depending on resolution and at exactly 40 seconds of video in 320x240 and exactly 2.30 secs of video in 160x120. I don’t know why this is, but I trust that with a bigger card the max file sizes will increase, as the manual states it will and other reviewers say so too.

From what I can see, although I've never touched an Xg:

Xt = Better overall pro features except for the movie mode only being 15fps.

Xg = Not quite as good features, features replaced with editing ones that you'd never use if you owned a copy of photoshop/premiere. But better movie mode at 30fps.

The end
lorddef; a biased Xt owner.

By lorddef - Sep 5, 2004

Is it really a point and shoot...

Strengths: Compact size, up and running fast, continuous shot mode, versatility

Weakness: Flash coverage, but what can you reasonably expect from something this small

Is it really a point and shoot camera? Yes, in the AE mode. Will some shots be underexposed, perhaps. Are there adjustments available on the camera to overcome an underexposure, yes! So, what we have is a point and shoot camera that is really a bit more. The package is advertised at PC/Mac compatible, the latter requiring as a minimum OS 9.0. Bad news -what is not said, but can be found in the...
Read Full Review

Is it really a point and shoot camera? Yes, in the AE mode. Will some shots be underexposed, perhaps. Are there adjustments available on the camera to overcome an underexposure, yes! So, what we have is a point and shoot camera that is really a bit more.

The package is advertised at PC/Mac compatible, the latter requiring as a minimum OS 9.0. Bad news -what is not said, but can be found in the Dimage Viewer manual, is that you need 128K of RAM. Two days later, after the crash and reconstructing my 64K RAM Mac G3, my wife counseled me to read the manual. Good news - you don't need Dimage Viewer to move the images to your computer desktop.

Picture quality is more than adequate for my needs, family photography, adventure pictures and things that simply cry out to be recorded. I am simply amazed at the plethora of options available on the various menus all of which are easily manipulated and understandable.

I've already ordered the AC Adapter, the case, an extra battery and a 256MB SD Card. So, what was a $250 camera has become a $420 dollar device. Love the rechargeable battery and the little stand. It sits right next to my old Mac as I search the internet for things to do that might warrant 224 pictures.

By haldw - Feb 14, 2004

My first digital camera. Good bye...

Strengths: All steel body, full feature, more then expected. This is one of the coolest things I have purchased. Pictures are great. The movie feature is fun and allows you to be creative with your friend.....

Weakness: The price changes daily, Not a problem with camera, just when do you get the best deal.

My first digital camera. Good bye film, this plays back on the bigscreen TV. Watch your movie or view your pictures in a slide show. I like the charger/ camera base. This thing is as good as it looks. Will be taking this everywhere.

By joekarter - Nov 21, 2003

My first digital camera was the...

Strengths: Small size, light weight, user-friendly, videos for full length of memory card, built-in speaker.

Weakness: Memory card (secure digital) is more expensive than most others, camera mode selector not easy to move, takes longer than expected to actually take pictures (but quick start up).

My first digital camera was the Canon Powershot S300 (which I paid about $500 for). I paid $400 for this one (from Good Guys b/c I had a certificate). I've seen this on eBay for about $310 out the door =) ). Anyway, this camera is GREAT! Compared to my previous camera which I bought about 2 years ago, they have DEFINITELY come a LONG way in digital camera technology. First off, the 3.2 megapixel...
Read Full Review

My first digital camera was the Canon Powershot S300 (which I paid about $500 for). I paid $400 for this one (from Good Guys b/c I had a certificate). I've seen this on eBay for about $310 out the door =) ).

Anyway, this camera is GREAT! Compared to my previous camera which I bought about 2 years ago, they have DEFINITELY come a LONG way in digital camera technology. First off, the 3.2 megapixel quality is more than sufficient for everyday photos. This camera is also great for close-ups (up to 15cm).

The user menus are super easy to use as well. Love the sound that comes along with it! The camera makes sounds when turned on/off, picture taken, and when a picture is focused. You can even CUSTOM record your own sounds to some of these features! You can also preview the pictures without actually having to switch to preview mode too. That saves a lot of time!

The start up time is also amazing. My old camera took forever to take picture after picture. This one is quick.

The downfalls are that the memory card is pretty expensive compared to other makes and taking pictures takes a little longer than I had expected. The camera takes a while to focus the image(s). The camera also sometimes hangs when using the USB connection (I have to pull out and put in the battery).

The biggest problem I have is moving the camera mode selector (from image shooting, preview, movie/audio mode, and setup).

Overall, however, I would HIGHLY recommend this camera!!!

By clumpymold - Jul 13, 2003

I bought this camera for my...

Strengths: Compact

Weakness: Shutter gets stuck on the lens on the first day

I bought this camera for my sister. When she got it, after a couple of shots the shutter for the lens got stuck. I had to shake it a couple of times to the the shutter to close. When the shutter gets stuck the camera will not work and it makes a a grinding sound. Maybe I just got her a defective one but I will return it and see if she gets the same problem.

By JMRx - Dec 3, 2003