Dimage Xi - great when weight & size matter
Written: Jun 03 '04 (Updated Jun 04 '04)
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Pros: Size, weight, picture quality, durability
Cons: Costly for resolution, new users put their thumb over lens
The Bottom Line: Great choice when you want to always have a camera with you
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| chrisspear's Full Review: Konica Minolta DiMAGE Xi Digital Camera |
I bought this camera to carry with me when I bike. Size and weight were my first concerns, so I compared it to the Canon PowerShot models, recommended by a friend. There is no comparison! The Minolta is smaller, generally has better resolution, and is very rugged. I just drop it in a zip-lok bag in my jersey pocket.
One of my first trips was to Bali and the clarity and accuracy of the shots was fantastic. It compared very well to my friend's Canon digital SLR which cost 10x as much. Next I took it to the Alps to see the Tour de France. I took 95 pictures on a single battery charge over 10 days, plus several 30 second mini-movies.
The camera has 3 megapixel resolution. It came with a 16mb SD card which I quickly replaced with a 256mb. This allows me to store hundreds of shots. I especially like how the 3x optical zoom is inside the body of the camera so that there is no lens sticking out that can be damaged.
The LCD screen on the back is bright and the controls are fairly easy to use. Switching modes (still to video) requires naviagting a few menus, but it is intuitive. I have not looked at the owner's manual in over a year.
The only negative to this camera is its odd lens placement (upper left corner) is not obvious to new users. When I loan the camera to someone to take my picture, they often put their finger over the lens. So I put a label on the back lower left "THUMB" to direct the photographer to hold it by the bottom, not the top.
The cycle speed could be better, but I was able to take 5 consecutive shots in Auto mode of Lance Armstrong as he climbed a corner in front of me on Alpe d'Huez. What more could you ask for?
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 370
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Epinions.com ID:
chrisspear
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Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 1 member
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