Konica Minolta Dimage XG 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Konica Minolta Dimage XG 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Review

The Konica Minolta Xg received an outstanding review in the Wall Street Journal, which motivated me to buy it as my first digital camera. I recently bought a second Xg after my first one was fried when I went swimming with it in my pocket. The range/view finder, which has been eliminated from most pocket cameras, allows you to see a close approximation of the picture without relying on the LCD screen. The LCD is small by today's standards but more than adequate to check the image and show others. Taking pictures using the LCD screen is practically impossible outdoors in bright light, even with the large screens now available. The viewfinder allows you to hold the camera in the traditional in-your-face picture taking position where it is stable and less likely to move and result in a fuzzy image, which can easily happen holding the camera at arms length viewing the LCD screen. I also like the non-projecting lens design, which is protected by a sliding metal panel, because it maintains the shape of the camera. The camera takes excellent pictures in my experience, with multiple pixel settings. My only major problem was: the flash failed and required a 0 repair. I never regretted making that investment.

Konica Minolta Dimage XG 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Feature

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-14-inch enlargements
• 3x folded optical zoom lens, 4x digital zoom combines for 12x total zoom
• .8-inches thick; movie mode with audio; PictBridge support
• Store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards
• Powered by 1 NP-200 lithium-ion battery

Konica Minolta Dimage XG 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Overview

The DiMAGE Xg digital camera offers the mobile user the chance to take high-quality pictures in any place and at anytime. With the proud heritage of the DiMAGE X Series built into a stylishly thin profile, the camera has user-friendly functions that enable you to capture images simply and easily for high-quality results.The DiMAGE Xg's compact (just 20mm thick), unobtrusive body stems from its proprietary, non-extended 3x folded optical zoom, which is a feature that will make this camera attractive among a wide range of users.With the world's fastest start-up time of approx. 0.8 seconds, the DiMAGE Xg can realize a rapid shot with a highly reliable shutter, ensuring that you'll be ready to take great pictures right away with no waiting.The DiMAGE Xg can shoot both still images and movies beautifully. The Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection determines the conditions, and then selects suitable photo mode. The camera's range of movie functions enhances the fun of making movies easily.

Konica Minolta Dimage XG 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Specifications

Konica Minolta updates its popular Dimage X series with the Dimage Xg, featuring a faster start-up time of approximately 0.8 seconds, larger LCD (1.6 inches), and continuous advance of 2 frames per second. Its thin, lightweight body (weighing only 4.2 ounces and just 0.8 inches thick) enables you to comfortably carry the Dimage Xg wherever you roam. In fact, it's the world's thinnest optical zoom digital camera (for 3.2 MP models as of January 2004). The Dimage Xg offers a 3.2-megapixel resolution, a non-extending 3x optical zoom lens, movie mode with audio (with a length limited only by your memory card),

Optics and Resolution The Dimage Xg has a 3.2-megapixel resolution, which enables you to print enlargements up to 11 x 14 inches. It has a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, as well as 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480 pixel modes.

Although the Dimage Xg is thinner than any single focal length digital camera (just 0.8 inch), it houses a revolutionary folded 3X optical zoom lens that can capture everything from scenic landscapes to macro close-ups. The lens never extends from the camera body and zooming noise is kept at a minimum. The slow shutter speed and Dark-Noise Reduction combine to prevent graininess and give exceptional night photos with clearly contrasted dark tones.

Video and Audio
The Dimage Xg can record video at two resolution modes--160 x 120 or 320 x 240 pixels. The length of the movie is limited only by the memory card capacity. With the Remote Camera function, you can use standard Windows programs like Microsoft NetMeeting to teleconference with users anywhere in the world by simply connecting the Dimage Xg to your PC with a USB cable.

You can record up to 15 seconds of sound with the Voice Memo feature immediately after a shot has been taken. The Audio Caption feature records simultaneously during playback and you can record up to 180 minutes of audio (depending on your memory card size).

More Features
Two autofocus modes give you precise control over image sharpness. Wide AF uses a large, 5-point autofocus area for quick, easy picture-taking. Spot AF uses a small focus area in the center of the image frame for singling out a specific subject or detail.

Dark noise, an ever-present problem in electronic systems, manifests itself by giving a grainy or sandy appearance to digital images taken with long exposures. The Dimage Xg combats this with user-selectable noise reduction, which automatically activates for exposures of one second or longer.

Other features include:

• 1.6-inch digital interface TFT with anti-reflection coating
• Optical real-image zoom viewfinder
• Crop frame feature trims parts of captured still pictures and save the image as a separate file
• Email copy function creates a compressed 640 x 480 or 160 x 120 JPEG image for easy transfer to PC and transmission through your email program
• Multiframe mode captures 9 sequential images in a 3x3 grid in a single frame
• Focus as close as 5.9 inches without the need for special macro settings
• The advanced 256-segment metering evaluates subject and scene brightness and monitors the situation for even the slightest changes
• The Dimage Xg can printout photos directly to a PictBridge*-compliant printer without having to go through a personal computer

Storage and Transfer
The Dimage Xg stores images on Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards, and a 16 MB SD card is included. It will hold approximately 17 standard 3.2-megapixel images. It transfers image to PCs and Macs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection.

CxProcess II Image Processor
Konica Minolta's newest image processing technology, CxProcess II, is used to bring out the best in the 3.3 megapixel CCD. CxProcess II controls the essential image qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise. Brilliant, saturated color remains vibrant without becoming unnatural. Subtle contrast is rendered to retain the richness and depth of the subject while preserving details in the highlights and shadows. Sharpness is controlled to show fine detail while minimizing hard, unnatural edges.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-200), which can shoot approximately 220 images on a single charge. The Dimage Xg measures 3.4 x 2.6 x 0.8 inches and weighs 4.2 ounces without battery or recording media.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Dimage Xg digital camera, rechargeable battery (NP-200), battery charger (BC-700), hand strap, USB cable, 16 MB SD memory card, and CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer software.

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jan 20, 2010 11:27:49